Starbucks in South Korea prohibits the names of the presidential candidates

As the company explains, the changes are aimed at “maintaining political neutrality during the election period”. The restrictions are to apply until June 3, i.e. until the day of election.

In South Korea, both companies and public figures try to avoid involvement in politics. However, after a recent political crisis, which ended with the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeola, society is extremely divided. In such an atmosphere, even trivial, daily situations can gain political significance.

In recent months, more and more customers have ordered drinks through the application, entering as nicknames slogans such as “arrest Yoon Suk Yeola” or “Lee Jae-Myung is a spy”. Barists had nothing else to do but give such messages when receiving orders.

The company's statement reads that “the purpose of the company's decision is to provide each client with positive experiences in cafes.” “We block specific wording that could be misunderstood by employees or other guests, including the names of candidates together with political manifests. We want to maintain neutrality” – we read.

This is the first such decision in the company's history.

In addition to Lee Jae-Myung, the ban also includes Kim Moon-Soo, Lee Jun-Seoka, Kwon Young-Kokoka, Hwang Kyo-Ahna and Song Jin-Ho.

Not everyone approaches the matter as seriously as Starbucks. – They are too oversensitive. What if someone really has such a name? -asks 33-year-old Jang Hye-Mi.

Ji seok-bin, a 27-year-old cafe, emphasizes that the new rules seem to seem absurd. – After Impeachment, Yoon Suk Yeola stopped talking about politics. The divisions are so deep that ordinary conversation can quickly turn into a quarrel – he admits.