Starbucks Korea will close all stores nationwide on June 22 for mandatory social sensitivity training. This marks the first total closure since the company entered the market in 1999.
The decision follows backlash over a Tank Day campaign launched in May. Critics viewed the promotion as mocking the 1980 Gwangju uprising.
The controversy resulted in a sharp drop in sales. Starbucks Korea head Sohn Jeong-hyun was dismissed following the incident.
Parent company Shinsegae Group issued public apologies and added a social sensitivity checklist to its marketing approval process. Starbucks shares traded 0.5% lower in premarket sessions following the announcement.