▲ Starbucks tumblers broken and smashed following the 'Tank Day' controversy (File Photo)
Starbucks Korea has closed a large store in Gwangju for the first time since the 'Tank Day' boycott movement.
Starbucks Korea shut down the Starbucks Gwangju Jisan Amusement Park Entrance branch, located near the entrance of Mudeungsan National Park in Sansu-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, today (October 30).
Opened in 2017, this store is a large establishment housed in a two-story standalone commercial building.
It was widely used by local residents as well as visitors to Mudeungsan, but ended its operations with its final business day yesterday (October 29).
Starbucks Korea reportedly closed the store as its commercial lease agreement expired.
Previously, Starbucks Korea sparked controversy on May 18 of this year, the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement, by using the term 'Tank Day' for a tumbler discount event.
The expression was reminiscent of the military crackdown by martial law forces in May 1980, which led to a widespread boycott movement.
Following the incident, Starbucks lost its top spot in estimated credit and check card payment amounts among domestic coffee brands to other competitors for four consecutive months starting in May.
However, its estimated payment amount reached the 120 billion won range last month in September, allowing it to reclaim the number one position.
(File Photo: Yonhap News)
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