Starbucks store in South Korea. The chain became the target of investigation after an advertising campaign that generated criticism for referring to the use of tanks during the repression of the Gwangju pro-democracy protests in 1980 Reuters May 18th, a promotion called "Tank Day", promoting a new line of large capacity cups for your drinks. The announcement coincided with the 46th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, in which 165 civilians died when the military dictatorship sent tanks into the streets, according to the official report. The network was accused of trivializing the country's most emblematic protest movement and insulting the dead, remembered by many as martyrs. A civil group and victims' families filed a complaint accusing members of the Shinsegae Group, which operates Starbucks Korea, of defamation. South Korea is the coffee giant's third-largest market, behind its home country, the United States, and China. The controversy led to a public apology and the temporary closure of the country's more than 2,000 stores to train employees in June.