Starbucks Korea will offer unconditional refunds for prepaid card balances for two weeks starting June 1, 2026. This policy replaces the previous requirement where customers needed to use 60% of their balance to be eligible for a refund.
SCK Company, operated by Shinsegae Group, has temporarily suspended physical prepaid card sales to prevent policy abuse. Total prepaid funds on Starbucks cards in Korea are estimated at 400 billion won.
The move addresses a growing consumer boycott sparked by a controversial marketing campaign. The decision follows the dismissal of the SCK Company CEO and a public apology from the Shinsegae Group chairman.