The Paejae Academy (now Paichai High School) alumni association on the 30th demanded that "the principal must resign immediately, taking responsibility for the situation," over a controversy that the school's baseball team mocked the opposing school (Gwangju Jeil High School) during a game with the chant "We should go to Starbucks."
The alumni association claimed this in a statement that day, saying "a decision by the school's top official is needed." They also said, "The school foundation must take stern measures. Only a responsible leadership decision can fulfill our responsibility to the wounded Gwangju Jeil High School and the public."
They said, "This situation should not be dismissed merely as the deviant behavior of some students," adding, "There must be a review of routine educational guidance and supervision systems for students, and the school leadership, which holds management and supervisory responsibility, cannot be free from accountability."
They continued, "We strongly urge the school authorities and the school foundation to conduct a thorough fact-finding investigation and clearly determine how it happened and where responsibility lies," adding, "Under the relevant rules, there must be strict action against those responsible and fundamental measures to prevent a recurrence."
They said, "We sincerely apologize to the Gwangju Jeil High School team," adding, "The two schools have contributed to the development of Korean baseball and education through fair competition and mutual respect, but this incident damaged Gwangju Jeil High School's honor and hurt the hearts of its alumni."
They continued, "We take seriously the disappointment and anger you must have felt," adding, "On behalf of all Paichai people, we sincerely ask for forgiveness." They added, "We will closely watch the school's investigation and follow-up measures to ensure strict accountability and action are taken."
The controversy arose during the first-round game between Paichai High School and Gwangju Il High School at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Yangcheon District, Seoul, on the 29th, part of the Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship and weekend league king of kings, when the chant "We should go to 'Sbeok'" was heard.
Late in the game, as Paichai High School widened the lead and seized the momentum, players in the dugout kept shouting the chant, "We should go, we should go~ Starbucks (Sbeok), we should go~."
The chant evoked last month's Starbucks "May 18 Tank Day" controversy, and was interpreted as carrying a mocking intent; as the video spread through online communities, criticism emerged that it was "regional disparagement."