SEOUL: South Korean police searched the headquarters of Starbucks Korea as part of an investigation into allegations that officials at the parent company insulted victims of the 1980 pro-democracy protests through a marketing campaign, broadcaster KBS reported on Wednesday.
- Police are trying to obtain documents and evidence that were not included in material submitted by Starbucks Korea's parent Shinsegae Group, the report by state-funded local television network KBS said, without citing sources.
- Starbucks Korea said in May the company suffered a "very significant" drop in sales after a marketing campaign that recalled a brutal 1980 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters triggered public criticism.
- Shinsegae operates Starbucks Korea through SCK Company, which is 67.5% owned by E-Mart and 32.5% by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, according to a company filing.
- Starbucks Korea and Shinsegae both said they saw the search as part of an ongoing investigation into the company, a spokesperson said in a text message sent to Reuters.
- The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency did not respond to a request for comment.
