Starbucks Korea Faces Backlash Over “Insensitive” Cup Campaign (opens in new tab)

Starbucks is facing widespread criticism in South Korea after a reusable cup marketing campaign sparked outrage over perceived references to the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy crackdown\. The campaign led to public protests, a formal apology, and the removal of the company’s chief executive in Korea\. In response, several Starbucks stores temporarily closed so employees could undergo “social sensitivity training” focused on the country’s democratic history\. However, the response has also been cr...