Starbucks in South Korea Blocks Presidential Candidates’ Names to Stay Politically Neutral
In an unusual move aimed at avoiding political controversy, Starbucks South Korea has temporarily banned customers from using the names of presidential candidates in drink orders through its mobile app.
The company says this step, taken ahead of South Korea’s presidential election on June 3, is intended to maintain neutrality in a deeply polarized political environment.
Six Names Banned Until Election Ends
Customers placing mobile orders often type in custom names that baristas call out when drinks are ready. However, in recent months, some have used politically charged phrases such as “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol” or “Lee Jae-myung is a spy”, referring to the former president and the current opposition leader.
To prevent baristas from inadvertently shouting political messages in public, Starbucks has disabled six specific names — those of the presidential candidates:
- Lee Jae-myung
- Kim Moon-soo
- Lee Jun-seok
- Kwon Young-kook
- Hwang Kyo-ahn
- Song Jin-ho
“We block certain phrases that could cause discomfort or confusion,” Starbucks said. “This includes political candidate names during election season to help ensure a respectful customer experience.”
Mixed Reactions From the Public
Some customers see the rule as overreach. “What if someone’s real name matches a candidate?” asked 33-year-old Jang Hye-mi. Others, like Ji Seok-bin, a regular customer, said the move feels “trivial” but understandable in such a highly politicized climate.
Following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korean society has become sharply divided, with even minor gestures or fashion choices being interpreted as political statements.
Not Just Starbucks: Political Sensitivity Everywhere
Search engines like Naver have disabled autocomplete and suggestion features for candidate-related queries, while celebrities and influencers avoid wearing red or blue, which represent the major political parties.
K-pop idols and actors are being cautious with color choices and even hand gestures during public appearances to avoid perceived endorsements. A peace sign, for instance, could be mistaken as support for candidate number two.
One veteran stylist shared that, during elections, fashion teams choose neutral colors like black, white, and grey to avoid backlash.
A Nation Walking on Political Eggshells
According to Dr. Cho Jin-man of Duksung Women’s University, the political tension has become so intense that many South Koreans are choosing silence to avoid conflict. “The ability to talk across ideological lines is shrinking,” he noted.
Conclusion:
As South Korea heads into a pivotal election, even coffee orders have become politically charged. Starbucks’ attempt to maintain neutrality underscores just how sensitive and polarized the atmosphere has become — where neutrality itself can be seen as a political stance.
