Jung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, a major shareholder of Starbucks Korea, has been formally registered as a suspect in connection with the so-called “May 18 Tank Day” controversy. According to the police on the 24th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crime Investigation Unit has registered Chairman Jung and former Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jeong-hyeon as suspects on charges of defamation and violations of the Special Act on the May 18 Democratic Movement, among others.
Previously, on May 18, the day of the promotion, they faced accusations of insulting May 18 merit recipients or their families by using phrases such as “Tank Day” and “Bang on the Desk!” in a tumbler promotion. However, the police’s registration of suspects is a procedural measure following a complaint, and it does not indicate that any suspicions of wrongdoing have been found, nor has a summons investigation been conducted.
The police are set to launch a full investigation into how Starbucks planned this promotion, whether there were any internal objections, and to what extent the plans were reported.