# Starbucks Korea launches controversial Tank Day promotion

> Source: <https://letsdatascience.com/news/starbucks-korea-launches-controversial-tank-day-promotion-847bf9a7>
> Published: 2026-06-04 07:51:14.094854+00:00

Industry Applicationsstarbucks koreamarketing mistakeai risk

# Starbucks Korea launches controversial Tank Day promotion

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5.3

On May 18 **Starbucks Korea** launched its **"Tank Day"** coffee promotion, the day South Koreans commemorate the 1980 massacre of protestors in Gwan... The timing sparked public backlash and questions about whether AI played a role in the promotion's rollout.

## Scoring Rationale

A public-brand misstep on a sensitive anniversary raised questions about AI in marketing; moderate relevance for practitioners monitoring automation risks.

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