"We Have to Go to Starbucks," Led by Two Pai Chai High School Players, Ends Their Baseball Careers

[Financial News] Two Pai Chai High School baseball players who sparked controversy after shouting a cheer that mocked the 5.18 pro-democracy movement during a game are reportedly ending their baseball team careers.
According to Yonhap News TV and others on the 25th, the two students who led the chant "We have to go to Starbucks" at the 81st Blue Dragon Flag National High School Baseball Championship recently told the school they wanted to quit baseball.
Earlier, some Pai Chai High School players caused controversy on June 29 at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Yangcheon District, Seoul, during the 81st Blue Dragon Flag National High School Baseball Championship, when they shouted chants such as "We have to go, we have to go, we have to go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day" toward the Gwangju Jeil High School dugout.
The remarks drew criticism for appearing to evoke Starbucks' earlier controversial "5.18 Tank Day" event, with many saying the players had insulted the 5.18 pro-democracy movement.
Last month, the Sports Fairness Committee of the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) decided to suspend Pai Chai High School from national competitions for six months and award forfeits for the remaining games in the Blue Dragon Flag tournament.
Afterward, all 36 members of the Pai Chai High School baseball team visited Gwangju Jeil High School to apologize and paid their respects at the May 18th National Cemetery. Taking this into account, the Sports Fairness Committee of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) reviewed the case again and reduced the six-month suspension to one month.
With the reduced punishment, Pai Chai High School took part in the 54th Phoenix Flag National High School Baseball Championship on the 12th, but was eliminated after losing 8-5 to Incheon High School in the first round.
In that game, the two players who led the inappropriate cheering were not allowed to play. Pai Chai High School also suspended four baseball team coaches, including the head coach, from their duties, and only the head coach is currently still suspended, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Pai Chai High School held a student life committee meeting and imposed severe disciplinary action on the two students who led the cheer, while giving lighter punishment to 10 students who joined in the chant.
[email protected] Kim Soo-yeon Reporter