Starbucks Korea will close all of its over 2,000 cafes for three hours for social sensitivity training sessions.

The decision of Starbucks Korea to close all units for three hours comes as a result of the scandal generated by the 'Tank Day' promotion, launched on May 18, coinciding with the commemoration of the democratic uprising in Gwangju in 1980.

The association of the term 'tank' with this anniversary was considered offensive by many South Koreans, given the violent repressions that led to the deaths of dozens of protesters. The local operator, controlled by the Shinsegae group, announced that employees would participate in educational sessions about the events in Gwangju.

The company's management reacted quickly, replacing the CEO and taking responsibility for internal errors. The scandal generated protests and led to a decrease in sales, and the President of South Korea criticized the incident, highlighting the negative impact on Starbucks' image in its third-largest market.