Baejae High Alumni President: Students Learned May 18 Movement's Gravity

Baejae High School baseball players and staff, accompanied by Alumni Association President Im Ho, visited the National Cemetery for the May 18th Democratization Movement in Gwangju. The visit followed criticism that the students had mocked the historic event during a recent game against Gwangju Jeil High School.

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The students seemed to have learned that the May 18th Democratization Movement should not be treated lightly.

Im Ho, a well-known actor, observed that the students, usually full of youthful energy, were remarkably solemn and respectful during the cemetery visit. "From the moment they stood before the cemetery, the atmosphere was incredibly careful and solemn," he told The Hankyoreh. He felt that witnessing the site firsthand provided a more meaningful educational experience than any classroom lesson.

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From the moment they stood before the cemetery, the atmosphere was incredibly careful and solemn.

"I believe they truly felt that the May 18th Democratization Movement, which is important and painful in South Korea's democratic history, should not be treated lightly," Im Ho added. The previous week, the Baejae High team had visited Gwangju Jeil High to apologize and seek forgiveness after players were heard shouting taunts referencing the May 18th movement during their game. Gwangju Jeil High accepted the apology, and the Baejae students subsequently paid respects at the Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial Tower on the Gwangju Jeil campus before jointly visiting the May 18th National Cemetery.

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I believe they truly felt that the May 18th Democratization Movement, which is important and painful in South Korea's democratic history, should not be treated lightly.

Im Ho shared a conversation with the Gwangju Jeil High alumni president, expressing a wish that the students could have visited under happier circumstances to learn about the democratic struggle. He acknowledged that the adults, including himself, failed to properly guide the students beforehand. "I was so proud and grateful for the Gwangju Jeil students who accepted our apology," he said. "We plan to continue researching and engaging in exchanges with Gwangju Jeil High School through the alumni association to avoid misunderstandings that this apology is a one-off event."

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I was so proud and grateful for the Gwangju Jeil students who accepted our apology.