Paichai High School's baseball team, which has been barred from national tournaments for six months over a cheer slogan controversy, will appeal the disciplinary action.
On the 8th, Paichai High School decided to file an appeal with the higher body, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), over the Korea Baseball Softball Association's six-month suspension from national tournaments. The school said it will also submit a petition written by Paichai High School faculty and staff.
Once the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) receives an appeal, it must convene a committee and complete deliberation and a decision within 60 days.
The controversy erupted on the 29th at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul during the first round of the 81st Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship. Some Paichai High School student-athletes shouted slogans such as "We should go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day" during their game against Gwangju Jeil High School. The phrases were taken as mocking the May 18 Democratization Movement, fueling backlash.
On the 1st, the Korea Baseball Softball Association convened an emergency Sports Fairness Committee and imposed a six-month suspension from national tournaments on Paichai High School's baseball team. With the penalty taking effect immediately, Paichai High School could not play in the second round of the Blue Dragon, and the game was recorded as a forfeit loss.
Afterward, members of the Paichai High School baseball team, parents, and faculty visited Gwangju Jeil High School on the 6th and apologized. The students delivered handwritten letters of apology and bowed their heads, and Gwangju Jeil High School players accepted them. Students from both schools also visited the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery together to pay their respects.
The Gwangju Jeil High School alumni association also asked for leniency. The alumni association said the previous day that it "seeks proper education and the restoration of justice rather than punishment for young students," and asked the Korea Baseball Softball Association for leniency for the Paichai High School students.