South Korea’s a government ministry says it will not use Starbucks vouchers from a “Tank Day” promotion after backlash. According to reports, the issue centers on controversy surrounding how the promotion is connected to public-facing activities and messaging, with criticism focusing on the appropriateness of involving a commercial brand and the nature of the campaign. The ministry’s decision is framed as an effort to avoid further controversy and to ensure that any official participation or distribution of items does not intensify public backlash.
Citing the ministry’s response, coverage indicates that the vouchers will be excluded from any related government handling, rather than distributed or supported as part of the campaign. The reports also describe that the backlash has drawn attention from multiple quarters, prompting the ministry to clarify its position.
While details about the wider “Tank Day” campaign vary across the accounts provided, both sources agree on the core point: the ministry chooses not to proceed with the Starbucks vouchers amid public criticism.
