▲ A Starbucks coffee shop in Seoul is seen on May 19, 2026. (Yonhap)

Starbucks-payment drop

Starbucks Korea payments drop 26 pct after controversial promotion sparks backlash

SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) -- Payments at Starbucks Korea plunged more than 26 percent in just one week, industry data showed Wednesday, after a controversial promotional event on the pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju in 1980 sparked national backlash.

Operated by E-Mart, a subsidiary of Shinsegae, Starbucks Korea launched an online "Tank Day" promotion on the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju uprising last week. The event was suspended within hours after drawing widespread public criticism.

Starbucks Korea's weekly payment volume totaled 23.69 billion won (US$15.81 million) between May 18 and Sunday, according to MobileIndex, a data platform operated by industry tracker IGAWorks. The figure marked a decline of 26.3 percent, or 8.47 billion won, from 32.16 billion won recorded during the previous week.

The coffee company launched the discount event for "Tank" tumbler sets, along with a controversial phrase, "Put it on the table with a sound of 'Tak!'"

The campaign came under fire, as the word "tank" evoked memories of the military clamping down violently on pro-democracy protesters. The word "Tak" also sparked backlash, as it reminded people of student activist Park Jong-cheol, who died in 1987 after being tortured.

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