Translation result
[Herald Economy=Reporter Yunho] The Defense Ministry has suspended the “Hero Program” welfare agreement it signed with Starbucks Korea last month after the company became embroiled in controversy over its “Tank Day” promotion.
A Defense Ministry official said on the 22nd that the agreement was intended solely as a welfare initiative — providing scholarships for children of service members killed or injured in the line of duty and supplying beverages to isolated outposts — but that projects such as the drink support for remote units have been temporarily suspended or deferred.
The official added that the ministry will carefully decide the program’s future after weighing public sentiment and Starbucks Korea’s position on corporate social responsibility.
On the same day, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon O-eul posted on Facebook expressing “deep regret” over Starbucks Korea’s “Tank Day” marketing, which coincided with the anniversary of the May 18 democratization movement.
Minister Kwon said he expects Starbucks Korea to demonstrate responsibility through a sincere apology and to offer comfort to May 18 democracy contributors, veterans’ families and the people of South Korea.
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