Starbucks Korea Closes Early Nationwide for History and Sensitivity Training After ‘Tank Day’ Controversy
Creatrip Team
a month ago
On June 22, Starbucks Korea closed all 2,160+ stores early at 3 PM—the first nationwide early shutdown since its 1999 debut—to give employees mandatory online training on historical awareness and social sensitivity following backlash over a ‘Tank Day’ marketing campaign. Stores posted notices and staff guided customers to leave as in-store monitors streamed the company’s training video. App ordering and delivery stopped from 2 PM; six Incheon Airport outlets paused only from 3–7 PM to resume service later. Starbucks extended coupon expiries through June 23. The move follows leadership changes, public apologies (including from Shinsegae chair Jung Yong-jin), full card refunds, and a pledge to overhaul marketing decision-making as the company seeks to rebuild trust and improve organizational culture.
