Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung criticized Starbucks Korea over its 2024 promotional material, which allegedly referenced the Sewol ferry sinking tragedy that claimed over 300 lives a decade ago. According to Yonhap News Agency, the criticism arose shortly after the coffee chain faced backlash for its "Tank Day" event, coinciding with the anniversary of the May 18, 1980, Gwangju pro-democracy movement. The movement was violently suppressed by the military. President Lee shared a post by Rep. Chung Chin-ook of the ruling Democratic Party, expressing his outrage at the "Siren" mug series. He hoped the allegations were not true. The promotional material dated April 16, the anniversary of the 2014 Sewol ferry tragedy, introduced a new line of mugs named the "Siren Classic Mug Collection." The "Siren," a mermaid from Greek and Roman mythology, has been part of Starbucks' logo since 1971. Chung, the lawmaker, accused Starbucks of drawing inspiration from this mythological figure known for shipwrecking sailors with her song, coinciding with the Sewol tragedy's anniversary. "When the bereaved families were writhing in pain and the nation was deep in grief, they likely enjoyed themselves by insulting the victims and mocking the people by launching a code-like event that hid mockery," President Lee stated. He added that the occurrence of these events makes it hard to believe that the Tank Day promotion was unintentional. "There will be people's judgment for this kind of barbaric behavior that habitually looks down on the victims of state violence and disaster," he continued. President Lee also condemned the Tank Day event, criticizing what he described as "inhumane behavior of profiteers who deny the values of the Republic of Korea, fundamental human rights, and democracy."