Baejae High School issued an official apology after some student players shouted cheering slogans during a game at the Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship that could be interpreted as mocking the May 18 Democratization Movement. The school said it would refer the student in question to the Life Education Committee and provide training on sportsmanship and human rights sensitivity to the entire baseball team.
On the 29th, Baejae High released an apology, saying, "During today's game of the Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship against Gwangju Jeil High School, we sincerely apologize for the deep hurt and disappointment caused to the Gwangju Jeil High School team and parents, alumni, and many others, including Gwangju residents, due to the inappropriate cheering slogans by some of our student players."
The controversy arose during the Baejae High vs. Gwangju Jeil High game at the 81st Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League King of Kings at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul that day. Some Baejae players were reported to have repeatedly shouted slogans at Gwangju Jeil players such as "Gotta go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day." Critics said the slogans could be interpreted as mocking the May 18 Democratization Movement.
Gwangju Jeil reportedly protested to the umpiring crew during the game, and play was temporarily halted. In its apology, Baejae High said, "We immediately stopped the student player in question and took necessary measures on site, and after the game we conveyed our apology to the Gwangju Jeil High School baseball team."
Regarding the cheering, Baejae High said it was "a highly inappropriate act that runs counter to the spirit of sports, which requires respect for the opposing school and the local community," adding, "It was a highly inappropriate act that lacked respect for historical meaning and the local community." The school added, "We take this matter very seriously."
The school also announced follow-up measures. Baejae High said, "The student player in question will be referred to the Life Education Committee and handled strictly in accordance with school rules and procedures," and added, "We will conduct special training for the entire baseball team on sportsmanship, human rights sensitivity, community awareness, and player ethics."
It continued, "Taking this incident as a lesson, we will continuously conduct recurrence-prevention education to instill students' historical awareness, respect for others, and a proper cheering culture, and we will do our best to ensure that such an incident never happens again."
The Korea Baseball Softball Association is also expected to look into the matter. With a report filed, the association is said to be launching its own inquiry and reviewing team management responsibility and possible disciplinary action.