Starbucks’ Seoul Headquarters Raided Amid ‘SS Tank’ Tumbler Campaign Probe
South Korean police raided the Seoul headquarters of Starbucks' local operation as part of an investigation into a marketing campaign that was perceived as defaming 1980s pro-democracy movements. The campaign for "SS Tank" tumblers, which included "Tank Day" and the…
Detroit, MI, August 6, 2026 —
Seoul, South Korea – Police have raided the Seoul headquarters of Starbucks’ local operation as part of an ongoing investigation into a controversial marketing campaign.
The raid, conducted by South Korean authorities, is focused on a marketing campaign that has been criticized for allegedly defaming historical pro-democracy movements from the 1980s. Specifically, the investigation centers on the promotion of “SS Tank” tumblers.
The campaign included elements such as “Tank Day” and a slogan, “Thwack it on the table!”. These aspects of the marketing initiative reportedly caused public outrage due to their perceived association with sensitive historical events. These include the brutal suppression of a 1980 pro-democracy uprising and a widely known cover-up involving the torture death of a student activist.
The investigation aims to determine the full extent and intent behind the marketing campaign and its connection to the historical events that have drawn public ire. Further details regarding the specific allegations and the progress of the investigation were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press on www.clickondetroit.com, see more information here.
