'May 18 Tank Day' marketing controversy... Starbucks payment order filed for prepaid funds

[Financial News] A petition for a payment order has been filed against Starbucks, which has been embroiled in controversy over its 'May 18 Tank Day' campaign, seeking a refund of unused prepaid balance.
According to legal circles on the 24th, lawyer Yang Hong-seok of Lee & Ko said on social media that he filed a petition with the Seoul Central District Court on the 21st, asking for the return of the unused balance on Starbucks cards.
A payment order petition is a procedure in which a court reviews the case in writing without requiring the parties to appear in person.
Yang said on social media, "I personally filed the payment order petition yesterday, and I plan to proceed with legal action depending on Starbucks Korea's response."
He added, "I think the quickest way to settle this with less trouble for both sides would be to immediately refund customers in full for unused funds," and said, "I hope related issues will be reviewed by the KFTC and others."
According to the Starbucks card terms of use, customers must use at least 60% of the balance before they can receive a refund of the remaining prepaid amount. This follows the KFTC's Standard Terms and Conditions for New-Type Gift Certificates, which require at least 60% of the face value to be used before a refund can be made, or 80% for gift certificates worth 10,000 won or less.
A debtor may file an objection before two weeks have passed after receiving a certified copy of the payment order. If an objection is filed, the payment order loses its effect and the case moves to ordinary litigation.
Earlier, Starbucks sparked controversy on the 18th, the anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, when it used phrases such as 'May 18 Tank Day' and 'Bang on the desk!' during a tumbler promotion.
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin and former Starbucks Korea CEO Jeonghyeon Son were reported to police on charges including insult and violations of the Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement, etc. The case is under investigation by the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
jyseo@fnnews.com Seo Ji-yoon Reporter