Police have launched a full-scale compulsory investigation by raiding Starbucks Coffee Korea headquarters and the residence of former CEO Son Jung-hyun in connection with allegations of insulting contributors to the May 18 Democratization Movement.

The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency executed search and seizure warrants on the Starbucks Korea headquarters in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and former CEO Son Jung-hyun's residence for approximately 10 hours starting at 8:50 a.m. on the 5th. This measure marks the first compulsory investigation conducted about two months after a full-scale probe into the case began.

Police had previously applied for a search and seizure warrant in June, but faced difficulties as prosecutors returned it citing insufficient evidence for some of the charges. The investigation also stalled for some time due to legal disputes, including the identification of victims in the insult charges.

However, the situation took a turn. During the investigation of Shinsegae Group Audit Team Leader Yang Jong-hwan, who was called in as a witness on June 17, police detected circumstances suggesting a flawed audit. After also confirming signs of inadequate investigation in the internal audit results submitted by Shinsegae Group, police reapplied for a search and seizure warrant and received final approval from the court. Police plan to focus their investigation on whether Starbucks Korea officials had any intention to disparage or insult contributors to the May 18 Democratization Movement, based on the materials secured through this raid.

[Background of Starbucks' May 18 PR Controversy] Starbucks Korea became embroiled in a major controversy on May 18 when it used phrases such as "Tank Day" and "On the desk, thud!" during a tumbler promotion. The phrases were criticized for evoking memories of the deployment of martial law troops' tanks during the May 18 Democratization Movement and the torture and death of the late martyr Park Jong-chul. As a result, civic groups and contributors to the democratization movement filed complaints and reports against Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, former CEO Son Jung-hyun, and other executives on charges of violating the Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement, insult, and defamation.

[Baejae High School Baseball Team Slogan Controversy and Disciplinary Results] Meanwhile, heavy disciplinary action has been finalized for students of the Baejae High School baseball team in Seoul who chanted the controversial phrases as cheering slogans at a baseball game.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Baejae High School recently held a student life committee meeting and decided to impose heavy discipline on two students who led the chanting of the slogans. Ten students who followed along in chanting received light discipline, including mandatory completion of educational programs. Previously, members of the Baejae High School baseball team faced strong criticism after scenes of them chanting slogans such as "Let's go, let's go, let's go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day" toward Gwangju Il High School during a game at Mokdong Sports Complex in Seoul spread through social media. All 36 members of the Baejae High School baseball team subsequently visited Gwangju Il High School in person to apologize and also paid their respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery.