Candidates from the Labor Party held solo protests in front of Starbucks stores across the country on the 20th, condemning Starbucks Korea. This action was organized in protest of Starbucks Korea stirring controversy by using a marketing slogan that evoked memories of the suppression of the Gwangju Uprising on the 46th anniversary of May 18th, the day when the Gwangju Uprising occurred and Park Jong-chul was killed by the martial law forces.
In Jeonju, Lim So-hee, a proportional representative candidate for the Jeonju City Council from the Labor Party, held a solo protest in front of Starbucks Jeonbuk University branch at 6 p.m. on that day. Lim pointed out that this incident should not be trivialized as a simple advertising slogan mistake or the personal misconduct of an individual.
The Labor Party, in a commentary on the issue, stated, "Starbucks Korea made many people angry by using a slogan that evoked memories of the suppression of the Gwangju Uprising and the death of Park Jong-chul in their marketing." They further emphasized, "The public outrage was even greater as the inhumane advertisement was revealed on the 46th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising."
As the controversy escalated, Starbucks Korea issued an apology statement and took disciplinary actions against the individuals involved. However, the Labor Party argued that "this incident cannot be explained solely as the personal misconduct of individuals" and raised concerns about the company's historical awareness and internal inspection system.
In particular, the Labor Party mentioned the past controversies involving Shinsegae Group Chairman Jung Yong-jin, such as mocking the Sewol ferry tragedy and the "Me Too" challenge, stating that this incident reveals a society where discrimination, hatred, and historical distortion, as well as the growth of far-right forces, are evident.
The Labor Party criticized, "In a society where the distortion of the Gwangju Uprising, open hatred, and discrimination against workers, women, people with disabilities, sexual minorities, and immigrants persist, such incidents can happen again at any time." They further emphasized, "The infringement of human rights while hating and discriminating against workers, women, people with disabilities, sexual minorities, and immigrants is the result of a long accumulation of institutional and cultural issues."
Candidates including Yoon Jung-hyun, a candidate for the Mayor of Gangbuk-gu in Seoul, Jung Sung-yong, a candidate for Incheon City Council, Choi Hyo, a proportional representative candidate for Incheon City Council, Lee Jang-woo, a candidate for the Mayor of Dong-gu in Ulsan, So Gyeong-jun, a candidate for Paju City Council, Yoo Jin-young, a candidate for Cheongju City Council, Kim Sang-hee, a candidate for Busanjin-gu Council, Ahn Hye-rin, a candidate for Changwon City Council, and Lim So-hee, a proportional representative candidate for Jeonju City Council, participated in the nationwide protests.
The candidates simultaneously held solo protests in front of major Starbucks stores across the country, such as Mia Station and Euljiro 2-ga in Seoul, Ara Station in Incheon, Ulsan University Hospital, Gyoja Branch in Paju, Bujeon Station in Busan, Sapa Branch in Changwon, and Jeonbuk University Branch in Jeonju. In Cheongju, candidate Yoo Jin-young protested in front of the headquarters of the People Power Party in Chungbuk Province.
Lim So-hee, who participated in the protest in Jeonju, stated, "It is the role of the Labor Party to realize the values of human rights and democracy in the political arena in this local election," and added, "I will work with the citizens of Jeonju to create a society without hatred."
The Labor Party plans to raise human rights, democracy, and a society without discrimination as core issues even during the full-fledged election campaign period. The Labor Party stated, "The responsibility for this incident does not lie solely in the inappropriate marketing of the company," and emphasized, "Politics that have fostered hatred, historical distortion, and the growth of far-right politics must respond responsibly."
📝 Summary:
Candidates from the Labor Party in Korea organized protests in front of Starbucks stores nationwide to condemn Starbucks Korea for using a marketing slogan that evoked memories of the Gwangju Uprising. The protests were held on the 46th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, a significant event in Korean history.
🗣️ Natural Korean Translation:
한국 노동당의 후보들이 전국의 스타벅스 매장 앞에서 스타벅스 코리아를 비난하기 위해 시위를 조직했습니다. 이 시위는 광주 민주항쟁의 기억을 떠올리는 마케팅 슬로건을 사용한 스타벅스 코리아를 비난하기 위해 열렸습니다. 이 시위는 한국 역사상 중요한 사건인 광주 민주항쟁의 46주년에 열렸습니다.
❓ Comprehension Questions:
1. Why did candidates from the Labor Party hold protests in front of Starbucks stores?
그들은 왜 노동당 후보들이 스타벅스 매장 앞에서 시위를 열었습니까?
2. What event was the marketing slogan used by Starbucks Korea related to?
스타벅스 코리아가 사용한 마케팅 슬로건이 어떤 사건과 관련이 있습니까?
3. What values does Lim So-hee mention in relation to the role of the Labor Party in the protests?
림소희는 시위와 관련하여 노동당의 역할에 대해 어떤 가치를 언급합니까?
💡 Vocabulary Learning:
1. controversy, 논란, noun
- A lot of people were involved in the controversy over the new policy.
- 새로운 정책에 대한 논란에 많은 사람들이 관여했습니다.
2. evoked, 불러일으킨, verb
- The movie evoked strong emotions in the audience.
- 그 영화는 관객들에게 강한 감정을 불러일으켰습니다.
3. trivialized, 사소화되다, verb
- It's important not to trivialize the impact of climate change.
- 기후 변화의 영향을 사소화하지 않는 것이 중요합니다.
4. misconduct, 불량 행위, noun
- The company has strict rules against employee misconduct.
- 그 회사는 직원들의 불량 행위에 엄격한 규정을 가지고 있습니다.
5. discrimination, 차별, noun
- Discrimination based on gender is illegal in many countries.
- 성별에 기반한 차별은 많은 국가에서 불법입니다.
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