Starbucks Enforces Political Neutrality by Banning Candidate Names During Election Season in South Korea

As South Korea prepares for a pivotal presidential election, Starbucks has taken an unprecedented step to maintain political neutrality by temporarily banning customers from using the names of six political candidates when ordering through its app. This decision follows significant political unrest after the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, which has heightened the political climate in the nation.

Starbucks explained that it made this move to ensure a pleasant experience in its stores, amid customers using candidate names for nicknames that baristas would then have to announce. While some patrons see the ban as excessive or trivial, others understand the necessity of avoiding provocative or partisan statements in public settings.

This situation exemplifies how businesses in South Korea are navigating the increasingly charged political atmosphere. Major digital platforms like Naver are also enforcing similar measures by disabling autocomplete suggestions related to candidates, thus aiming to promote objective information during election campaigns. The scrutiny extends to public figures, with celebrities carefully managing their appearances and statements to avoid political backlash.

Amid personalities adjusting their style to appear neutral—opting for bland colors to sidestep associative meanings—there is a recognition of the need for dialogue about politics without crossing lines. Nonetheless, many are choosing silence as a strategy to uphold a sense of neutrality in these divisive times.