Chung Yong-jin to issue public apology on the 26th over Starbucks 'Tank Day' controversy, release internal probe results

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[Financial News] As the controversy over Starbucks Korea's 'Tank Day' continues to spread, Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin will personally issue a public apology on the 26th. The company also plans to release the results of its own internal investigation into the incident at the same event.
According to Shinsegae Group on the 24th, Chung will apologize in person at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Seoul on the 26th. This will come a week after he issued a written apology on the 19th.
In a notice released that day, Shinsegae Group said, "Chairman Chung Yong-jin of Shinsegae Group wants to personally apologize to everyone who was hurt by Starbucks Korea's inappropriate marketing on the anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising." The group added that it will also present the results of its internal investigation into the controversy.
The incident began with Starbucks Korea's 'Tank Day' event on the 18th. The controversy grew after the company sold its 'Tank Tumbler Series' on the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement and used phrases such as 'Tank Day' and 'Bang on the desk.' Critics said the wording evoked the deployment of military tanks and the Park Jong-cheol Torture Death Incident in 1987.
On the day the controversy erupted, the group immediately dismissed then-Starbucks Korea CEO Jeonghyeon Son and the executive in charge. The following day, on the 19th, Chung issued a public apology, saying, "We have caused deep pain to the spirits of the victims of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, their bereaved families, and the public," and "On behalf of the group, I bow my head and apologize."
Despite the initial response, the backlash has continued to grow. After President Lee Jae-myung strongly criticized the incident, consumers and public officials have also begun boycotting Starbucks.
Attention is also turning to whether Chung and former CEO Son will face police investigations after civic groups filed complaints accusing them of damaging the honor of the families of the May 18 Democratic Uprising victims.
localplace@fnnews.com Kim Hyun-ji Reporter