Starbucks Korea's history lessons must begin with accountability

Starbucks Korea's decision to close more than 2,000 stores early nationwide on Monday to conduct mandatory history and social awareness training for employees marks an extraordinary moment in the company's history. Never before, since entering the Korean market in 1999, has the company suspended operations across its entire network for such a purpose. The move follows the controversy surrounding a promotional campaign that used phrases such as "Tank Day" and "Bang on the Desk!" — expressions widely criticized as mocking the victims of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising and the democracy student activist Park Jong-chul, who died by torture. The backlash was swift and severe, prompting public apologies from Starbucks Korea and from Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, as well as the dismissal of the former's chief executive. The nationwide training program signals that the company recognizes the gravity of the incident. Yet the fundamental question remains: Is Starbucks addressing the root cause of the problem, or merely managing its consequences? The controversy was not the resWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times