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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Baejae High School Returns to Official Play 45 Days After Suspension, Bows Head in Apology

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Baejae High School's baseball team returned to official competition 45 days after being suspended for mocking the May 18th democratization movement.
  • The team apologized to spectators before their game, with the acting coach expressing deep regret and acknowledging the players' and staff's extensive reflection.
  • Two players involved in the incident did not participate in the game, and the team's suspension was reduced from six months to one month on appeal.

The Baejae High School baseball team has officially returned to competition after a 45-day suspension, following an incident where some players mocked the May 18th democratization movement. The team faced the public with apologies before their first game in the 54th Phoenix Flag National High School Baseball Tournament.

Before the match against Incheon High School at Mokdong Baseball Stadium, acting coach Lee Jang-hwan conveyed the team's remorse. "Both coaches and players have reflected a lot. We are truly sorry," he stated. "We prepared diligently during the one-month suspension. We will greet you with a better image moving forward." Head coach Kwon Oh-young remains suspended by the school.

Both coaches and players have reflected a lot. We are truly sorry.

— Lee Jang-hwan, acting coachExpressing the team's remorse and apology before their first game back.

Two players who led the inappropriate chants were not included in the lineup for this game. The team lined up before the spectators, removed their hats, and bowed their heads in apology. The incident involved players shouting taunts such as "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day" during a previous game against Gwangju High School.

The Korea Baseball Softball Association's Sports Fair Committee initially ruled a six-month suspension and forfeiture of remaining games in the tournament. However, Baejae High School appealed to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, which subsequently reduced the suspension to one month.

We prepared diligently during the one-month suspension. We will greet you with a better image moving forward.

— Lee Jang-hwan, acting coachHighlighting the team's efforts during their suspension and their commitment to future improvement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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