(Updates to add Starbucks Korea's confirmation in first and fifth paragraphs)
Starbucks Korea confirmed that authorities in South Korea conducted "a search and seizure" at its headquarters in Seoul, according to an emailed statement to.
The statement was in response to a Bloomberg News report on Thursday that authorities raided the company's Seoul offices on Wednesday over a May campaign accused of offending Gwangju uprising victims.
Shinsegae (KRX:004170), which owns a controlling stake in Starbucks Korea, reportedly confirmed the raid took place without providing more details.
The raid follows a civic group's defamation complaint against Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin of Shinsegae, the parent of E-Mart (KRX:139480), Bloomberg said.
In response to' email seeking comment, Starbucks Korea said: "We understand this to be part of an ongoing investigation. For further details regarding the investigation, we respectfully refer to you the relevant authorities."
Starbucks Korea is 67.5% owned by E-Mart, Bloomberg said.
Shinsegae and E-Mart did not immediately respond to' request for comment.
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