Starbucks Korea is set to shut down all its stores nationwide early on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training. This decision follows significant backlash from a marketing campaign perceived as disrespectful to victims of a military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1980.

Shinsegae Group, the majority stakeholder in Starbucks Korea, announced that executives and headquarters employees would participate in training sessions conducted by history and sociology professors. This training aims to address the issues raised by the campaign. All Starbucks stores will close at 3 p.m. that Monday for employees to view recordings of these sessions.

The controversy began when Starbucks Korea launched a promotion for stainless-steel tumblers called “SS Tank,” celebrating May 18 as “Tank Day.” This date coincides with the anniversary of the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju, violently suppressed by South Korea’s military government at the time. The campaign faced further criticism for its slogan, “Thwack it on the table!” which echoed a 1987 police statement related to the torture and death of student activist Park Jong-chol.

In response to the backlash, Shinsegae swiftly canceled the promotion and removed Starbucks Korea’s chief executive. Chairman Chung Yong-jin apologized publicly as police began investigating complaints from Gwangju crackdown victims’ families. Chung will also join separate training with Shinsegae affiliate CEOs on June 24.

This store closure marks the first instance since the chain’s 1999 inception in South Korea where all its locations are shut for companywide training. Shinsegae’s move underscores the severity of the controversy and the group’s commitment to preventing similar incidents.

The Gwangju crackdown followed a coup by General Chun Doo-hwan in late 1979, resulting in the deaths of approximately 200 people, according to government records. Activists claim the actual toll was higher. Chun’s regime also imprisoned tens of thousands, citing it was eliminating social evils. The public outrage over his dictatorial rule led to massive protests in 1987, compelling Chun to agree to a constitutional amendment for direct presidential elections. This amendment is considered pivotal to South Korea’s democratic progress.