Starbucks to open store near North Korea border

By Minh Hieu November 6, 2024 | 02:41 am PT

A Starbucks coffee is being seen in Shanghai, China, on May 27, 2024. Photo by AFP

Starbucks Korea plans to open a new location near the border between South Korea and North Korea, with a view into the latter country.

The outlet will open on Nov. 27 on the second floor of the Jogang Observatory in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, about 1.4 kilometers from the border with North Korea, according to the South China Morning Post.

The 136-square-meter store, with around 10 seats, will provide patrons a view into Kaepung County in North Korea’s North Hwanghae Province.

It will also reportedly sell exclusive drinks and merchandise, including a cup featuring the Aegibong peak, where the observatory is situated, Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

The Aegibong Peace Eco Park, which surrounds the observatory, is recognized for its environmental preservation and serves as a breeding ground for endangered species due to strict limits on civilian access. All visitors must be screened by the military before entering the park.

The Gimpo government plans to add more buses running from the Marine Corps checkpoint to the park.

South Korea has 1,893 Starbucks stores as of 2023, the fourth highest number globally, as reported by BusinessKorea.

Starbucks Korea reported sales of 2.93 trillion won (US$2.1 billion and an operating profit of 139.8 billion won last year.