• Starbucks Korea closes for history training after 'Tank Day' backlash.
• Promotion evoked the fatal 1980 Gwangju uprising, sparking public outrage.
• Simultaneous store closure marks the first in Starbucks Korea's history.

Starbucks stores across South Korea will close at 3 p.m. for half a day to allow staff to attend a mandatory history lesson, prompted by backlash over a controversial promotional campaign. The campaign, termed "Tank Day," coincided with the anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, a tragic event in which hundreds of pro-democracy protesters were killed by the military in 1980. This led to a significant public uproar, resulting in Shinsegae Group, which operates Starbucks Korea, firing its CEO the day the controversy became public, according to South China Morning Post, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

The date of the promotion, May 18, was particularly sensitive as it recalled the brutal crackdown in Gwangju where a government military regime deployed troops to suppress protests. Official reports cite at least 165 civilian deaths, although many estimate the actual number to be much higher. Following the backlash, the company acknowledged experiencing a "sharp decline in sales," as noted by Al Jazeera and India Times.

Shinsegae has outlined a comprehensive training program for its employees, focusing on "historical awareness and social sensitivity." The training is set to be conducted by professors from local universities and is considered a crucial step in addressing the serious issues raised by the promotion. The company's chairman and other executives will also participate in similar sessions, scheduled for later, as part of the effort to reflect on the company’s role in the controversy, according to BBC and Reuters.

This unprecedented nationwide closure reflects Shinsegae's intention to address the gravity of the situation and implement changes in its marketing approval processes to prevent future occurrences. The initiative includes the introduction of a social-sensitivity checklist for evaluating marketing campaigns against possible cultural insensitivity, as reported by Al Jazeera and India Times.