"Time to go~ Time to go to Starbucks"... Baejae High School Issues Official Apology Over 'May 18 Mockery' Controversy in High School Baseball

" Photo = Captured from online community, News1 [Financial News] Controversy has erupted after students from the baseball team of Seoul's Baejae High School shouted regionally derogatory slogans that appeared to mock the "May 18 Democratization Movement" towards their opponent, Gwangju Jeil High School, during a national high school baseball tournament. As the controversy spread, Baejae High School issued an official apology and initiated disciplinary proceedings, and investigations by the Office of Education and the Baseball Association are also expected to follow.
An unsavory incident occurred during the match between Gwangju Jeil High School and Baejae High School, which was part of the 81st Blue Dragon Flag National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League King of Kings Tournament, held at Mokdong Stadium in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on the 29th. In the latter part of the game, with Baejae High School leading 6-2, some players in the dugout repeatedly shouted the cheering slogan, "Go, go, go to Starbucks," toward Gwangju High School.
The slogan cleverly appropriated the controversy surrounding the so-called "5·18 Tank Day" promotion, which Starbucks Korea held on the anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement last month and sparked public outrage. It was interpreted as a derogatory remark intended to mock the Gwangju region and its historical pain.
Upon realizing the situation, the Gwangju High School coaching staff strongly protested to the referees, asking, "What are you doing?" The game was temporarily suspended, and the matter was resolved after the referee issued a warning to Baejae High School. Amidst boiling public criticism, Baejae High School bowed its head and promised "strict handling.
" As the game was live-streamed on YouTube and other platforms, footage from the scene quickly spread across social media and online communities. Netizens condemned the students' lack of historical awareness for making fun of the May 18 Uprising, while also strongly criticizing the leaders' inaction, asking, "What were the Baejae High School head coach and staff doing instead of stopping the players until the opposing coach protested?" As the controversy escalated, Baejae High School posted an apology on its website that afternoon to try and quell the situation.
" Photo = Captured from online community, News1 [Financial News] Controversy has erupted after students from the baseball team of Seoul's Baejae High School shouted regionally derogatory slogans that appeared to mock the "May 18 Democratization Movement" towards their opponent, Gwangju Jeil High School, during a national high school baseball tournament. As the controversy spread, Baejae High School issued an official apology and initiated disciplinary proceedings, and investigations by the Office of Education and the Baseball Association are also expected to follow." Photo = Captured from online community, News1 [Financial News] Controversy has erupted after students from the baseball team of Seoul's Baejae High School shouted regionally derogatory slogans that appeared to mock the "May 18 Democratization Movement" towards their opponent, Gwangju Jeil High School, during a national high school baseball tournament. As the controversy spread, Baejae High School issued an official apology and initiated disciplinary proceedings, and investigations by the Office of Education and the Baseball Association are also expected to follow.
" They promised, "We will refer the student athlete in question to the Student Life Education Committee to handle the matter strictly in accordance with school rules and procedures, and conduct special training on sportsmanship and human rights sensitivity for the entire baseball team. " It is reported that Baejae High School also conveyed a separate apology to Gwangju First High School immediately after the game.
The sports community and education authorities are also looking into this matter with serious concern.
The Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) plans to conduct an internal investigation following the receipt of a report, and then convene a Sports Ethics Committee to decide on disciplinary action against the players and coaches involved.
An association official stated that they will review not only the players' inappropriate conduct but also the coaching staff's responsibility for management.
In addition, it has been reported that the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, the governing body, is also carefully considering a fact-finding investigation into Baejae High School regarding the controversy over regional disparagement.
" Photo = Captured from online community, News1 [Financial News] Controversy has erupted after students from the baseball team of Seoul's Baejae High School shouted regionally derogatory slogans that appeared to mock the "May 18 Democratization Movement" towards their opponent, Gwangju Jeil High School, during a national high school baseball tournament. As the controversy spread, Baejae High School issued an official apology and initiated disciplinary proceedings, and investigations by the Office of Education and the Baseball Association are also expected to follow." Photo = Captured from online community, News1 [Financial News] Controversy has erupted after students from the baseball team of Seoul's Baejae High School shouted regionally derogatory slogans that appeared to mock the "May 18 Democratization Movement" towards their opponent, Gwangju Jeil High School, during a national high school baseball tournament. As the controversy spread, Baejae High School issued an official apology and initiated disciplinary proceedings, and investigations by the Office of Education and the Baseball Association are also expected to follow.
" Photo = Captured from online community, News1 [Financial News] Controversy has erupted after students from the baseball team of Seoul's Baejae High School shouted regionally derogatory slogans that appeared to mock the "May 18 Democratization Movement" towards their opponent, Gwangju Jeil High School, during a national high school baseball tournament. As the controversy spread, Baejae High School issued an official apology and initiated disciplinary proceedings, and investigations by the Office of Education and the Baseball Association are also expected to follow.
moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter