Baejae High baseball team suspended for 6 months over 'Starbucks' chant controversy

Baejae High School's baseball team has been handed a six-month suspension following an incident involving controversial cheers during a recent game. The team used chants that appeared to mock opponents and reference a contentious Starbucks Korea promotion.

During their match against Gwangju Jeil High School in the Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship, Baejae players were seen in their dugout shouting slogans such as "Let's go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day." These phrases are believed to be a reference to a recent Starbucks Korea promotion that used the name 'Tank Day' for a tumbler discount event, which allegedly trivialized the May 18th Gwangju Democratization Movement.

The Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) convened a disciplinary committee, which decided on the suspension. The committee cited the players' actions as severely damaging to the dignity of athletes and disruptive to the competition's order. The KBSA also announced that further hearings will be held to determine disciplinary measures for the coaches and players involved.

Following the controversy, "condolence wreaths" were placed in front of Baejae High School, indicating the strong public reaction to the team's behavior. The incident has sparked outrage, particularly given the historical significance of the May 18th movement in Gwangju, and has led to significant repercussions for the school's baseball program.