Overview
- Seoul police executed a search-and-seizure at Starbucks Korea's Gangnam headquarters on Wednesday to gather digital and paper evidence in a probe of the May 18 “Tank Day” promotion.
- The warrant targeted mobile phones, internal messenger records and planning documents so investigators can assess intent and individual responsibility for the campaign.
- Shinsegae Group and Starbucks Korea withdrew the promotion, apologized, dismissed the local CEO and ran an internal audit that found no proof of deliberate intent but acknowledged major gaps such as staff refusing to hand over phones and expired message logs.
- Prosecutors earlier returned a June warrant request, citing limits on charges, and investigators now face legal hurdles because key records were not surrendered or exceeded retention periods.
- The affair has already cut transactions and forced nationwide sensitivity training, and the ongoing probe could deepen regulatory scrutiny, legal exposure for executives and long-term reputational damage in South Korea.