Starbucks Korea CEO fired over promotion that evoked military crackdown

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Starbucks Korea CEO fired over promotion that evoked military crackdown

Published

16 hours ago

May 19, 2026

alaguraj@gmail.com

‘Tank Day’ marketing campaign provoked backlash for eliciting bloody suppression of 1980 Gwangju uprising.

The head of Starbucks Korea has been dismissed after a marketing campaign that evoked a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters provoked outrage, including from South Korea’s president.

CEO Son Jung-hyun was fired to hold him accountable for the “inappropriate” promotional campaign launched on the anniversary of the May 18, 1980, uprising in Gwangju, the coffee chain’s South Korean operator said on Tuesday.

Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin “personally ordered” Son’s dismissal after a “strict and thorough internal investigation”, the conglomerate said, describing the top executive as “furious” over the incident.

Chung took the action to “make an example of this incident so that nothing similar ever happens again”, the Shinsegae Group said, adding that another unnamed executive involved in the campaign would also be fired.

Son’s dismissal came after he had earlier apologised for the “deep hurt” caused by the campaign, which used the wording “Tank Day” and “5/18” to promote a new range of coffee tumblers.

The combination of the language and date provoked a swift backlash among South Koreans for seeming to invoke the armored vehicles used by the military to crush pro-democracy activists opposing then-President Chun Doo-hwan.

Shinsegae Group and Starbucks did not explain how the campaign came to be linked with the sensitive date, but Son said in his apology that the promotional materials were “not thoroughly reviewed internally before the event began”.

Adding his voice to civic groups representing victims of the crackdown, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said the campaign had mocked the “blood-soaked struggle” of the country’s democracy activists.

“I am outraged by this inhumane, bottom-feeding behavior from these low-class peddlers who deny the Republic of Korea’s community, basic human rights, and democratic values,” Lee said in a post on X.

“They must be held accountable with the corresponding moral, administrative, legal, and political responsibility.”

The Gwangju uprising, which was led by student protesters opposing Chun’s dictatorial rule, is widely considered a pivotal moment in the democratisation of South Korea, which held its first free elections in decades in 1987.

Acting on the orders of Chun, South Korean troops stormed the southwestern city of Gwangju to violently suppress student activists who had assembled to protest the military strongman’s takeover of the civilian government.

Government figures suggest that more than 200 people were killed in the crackdown although activists and historians have estimated the true death toll to be as high as 2,300.

South Korea is one of Starbucks’s most important markets worldwide.

The East Asian country is home to more than 2,000 outlets of the Seattle-based coffee chain, more than any other country apart from the United States and China.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/5/19/starbucks-korea-ceo-fired-over-promotion-that-evoked-military-crackdown?traffic_source=rss

Related Topics:சர்வதேச செய்திகள்தமிழ் மொழிபெயர்ப்பு

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Southampton expelled from world’s most lucrative football match for spying

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2026

alaguraj@gmail.com

Southampton out of EFL championship playoff final after spying on Middlesbrough, who face Hull for Premier League place.

Southampton have been expelled from the English Football League (EFL) Championship playoff final after admitting to spying on a training session of semifinal opponents Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough have been reinstated as a result of Tuesday’s decision and are set to face Hull at Wembley on Saturday for a place in English football’s Premier League.

The match is regarded as the most lucrative in world football, given the winner is promoted to the Premier League – the richest club competition in the global game – and receives 200 million British pounds ($268m) in extra income.

Southampton will also be docked four points next season after admitting to multiple breaches of regulations related to the “unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training” sessions, according to a statement from the EFL.

“An independent disciplinary commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship play-offs,” the EFL said.

Southampton, relegated from the Premier League last season, confirmed they would appeal the sanctions.

The EFL said the parties were working to ensure an appeal could be heard on Wednesday.

“Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture,” the EFL said.

A member of the Southampton coaching staff was caught by Middlesbrough officials recording training on his phone.

The EFL confirmed further charges had been laid against Southampton, and that the club had also admitted observing training sessions ahead of matches against Oxford and Ipswich.

The first leg ended 0-0 before Southampton progressed with a 2-1 win after extra time in the second leg.

Middlesbrough issued a statement welcoming the outcome of the disciplinary commission hearing.

“We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct,” the statement said.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/5/19/southampton-expelled-from-worlds-most-lucrative-football-match-for-spying?traffic_source=rss

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Does Ukraine have the advantage at the moment?

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2026

alaguraj@gmail.com

Kyiv takes the war deeper into Russia with a huge attack on the Moscow region.

There appears to be a shift in the years-long conflict in Ukraine.

Last weekend, Ukrainian forces struck deeper into Russian territory, piercing its air defences in a large strike on the Moscow region.

This came a week after fears of a Ukrainian attack forced Russia to scale down its annual Victory Day parade.

Kyiv’s also been relentlessly striking Russia’s oil facilities and military logistics, as it tries to disrupt supplies to the front lines.

All this as Russian missiles and drones continue to target sites across Ukraine.

So, where does the war stand in its fifth year? Does any one side have the upper hand?

Peter Zalmayev – Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative

Pavel Felgenhauer – Russian foreign policy analyst

Mark Episkopos – Research fellow at the Quincy Institute’s Eurasia Program

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/video/inside-story/2026/5/19/does-ukraine-have-the-advantage-at-the-moment?traffic_source=rss

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Norway journalist calls out Modi over avoiding media questions

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2026

alaguraj@gmail.com

Norway journalist calls out Modi over avoiding media questions

‘Modi, why don’t you take some questions?’

A Norwegian reporter asked Narendra Modi why he wouldn’t speak to the media after a press conference in Oslo on Monday. India’s prime minister has faced consistent criticism for his refusal to hold open media briefings.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/5/19/norway-journalist-calls-out-modi-over-avoiding-media-questions?traffic_source=rss