Civic groups plan to file complaints against Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) officials who handed down a heavy penalty of a six-month ban from national tournaments to the Paichai High School baseball team for a cheer that mocked the May 18 Democratization Movement.
The Committee for People's Livelihood Measures (Seominwi) decided to submit a complaint to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the morning of the 3rd seeking punishment of association officials on charges including coercion and obstruction of business.
Seominwi argued in the complaint that "the players are minors, and it is hard to see the chants as malicious," and called it "a one-sided, unfair and unreasonable penalty that also applies to third-year starters in high school, hindering their future playing careers."
The Freedom Korea National Guard Corps also plans to file a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency that morning on similar grounds against association officials. Their position is that the ban blocking Paichai High School from all tournaments in the second half of the year is excessive.
Condolence wreaths with criticism and supportive wreaths continue to line up in front of Paichai High School. Five days after the controversy erupted, the number of wreaths surpassed 60.
During the first round of the Blue Dragon Flag against Gwangju Jeil High School (Gwangjuilgo) at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul on the 29th, the Paichai High School baseball team chanted slogans such as "We have to go, we have to go, we have to go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day." As the game broadcast video spread through online communities and social media (SNS), criticism poured in that they disparaged the May 18 Democratization Movement.
The Korea Baseball Softball Association convened the Sports Fairness Committee on the 1st and decided on a six-month suspension from national tournaments for the Paichai High School baseball team. Paichai High School lost by forfeit in the second round of the Blue Dragon Flag and will be unable to participate in major national tournaments such as the Presidential Cup this month and the Bonghwanggi in Aug.
As tensions grow, moves to mediate are also picking up pace. Seoul Superintendent of Education Jung Keun-sik, in discussions with Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan Special City Superintendent of Education Kim Dae-jung regarding the issue, was reported to have proposed that Paichai High School students and Gwangju Jeil High School students jointly pay respects at the National May 18 Democratization Cemetery and receive education at the May 18 Memorial Foundation.
The Gwangju Seojung and Ilgo Alumni Association, while emphasizing a thorough fact-finding investigation and accountability in a statement the previous day, also said, "We do not want young students to see their lives plunged into ruin because of a single mistake."