'Pro-Yoon' Choi Jun-yong defends Starbucks over 'the 18th Tank Day' with "Anti-Communist Coffee" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Choi Jun-yong publicly came to the defense of the coffee brand Starbucks, which sparked controversy over its 'the 18th Tank Day' marketing campaign.

On the 19th, Choi Jun-yong posted a photo of himself drinking Starbucks coffee on his social media, along with the caption, "Coffee is Starbucks." He also added the hashtag "Anti-Communist Coffee."

Starbucks Korea faced controversy on the 18th for using phrases such as "Tank Day" and "Tank on the Desk" during a tumbling promotion event that ran from the 15th to the 26th.

Criticism arose on online LINE communities and social networking services (SNS), alleging that these expressions disparaged the the 18th Democratic Uprising and the 1987 torture-to-death case of martyr Park Jong-chul. As the controversy grew, Starbucks Korea halted the event and issued an apology.

President Lee Jae-myung also weighed in, criticizing the campaign as "inhumane and disgraceful behavior by low-class merchants who deny the values of the South Korean community, fundamental human rights, and democracy." He added, "Moral, administrative, legal, and political responsibility must be appropriately assigned."

Following this, the controversy surrounding Starbucks appears to be escalating into an "ideological conflict." Some have continued calls for a boycott of Starbucks, while some conservative-right supporters have responded with defense. Choi Jun-yong had previously expressed his public support for Yoon Suk-yeol Jeon (President) during the impeachment crisis.

Meanwhile, Shinsegae Group Chairman Jung Yong-jin stated, "There is no room for justification for this mistake." He said, "We deeply acknowledge that the entire group lacked the historical awareness and sensitivity regarding the historical pain of the South Korean community. We sincerely apologize once again to the spirits of the the 18th martyrs, their families, the citizens of Gwangju, the families of martyr Park Jong-chul, and all who sacrificed for the democracy of this nation and to all citizens." He bowed his head.

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*This content was translated by AI.