Gwangju High School Alumni Demand Accountability Over Regional Slur Incident

The alumni association of Gwangju Jeil High School has stated that an apology from Baejae High School for a regional slur incident must be preceded by accountability. In a statement released on May 3, the association emphasized that "only an apology accompanied by a thorough investigation and the assignment of responsibility can be the starting point for true reconciliation and forgiveness."

The association expressed that they cannot accept Baejae High School's offer to apologize in person, as it lacks any mention of a comprehensive investigation or accountability for school leadership. They pointed out that Baejae High School's apology only mentioned disciplinary action against the involved students, while ignoring demands for the principal's resignation and the accountability of school leadership, a stance also taken by the school's board of directors.

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Only an apology accompanied by a thorough investigation and the assignment of responsibility can be the starting point for true reconciliation and forgiveness.

While acknowledging the Korean Baseball Softball Association's decision to suspend Baejae High School's baseball team from national competitions for six months, the association stated they will closely monitor the process to ensure it is implemented rigorously. They stressed that their goal is not the "merciless punishment" of young students for a single mistake, but rather to help them understand the responsibility that comes with wrongdoing, thereby fostering sound judgment and preventing similar incidents.

The association also condemned the secondary victimization through hate speech and the denigration of victims, as well as the behavior of some political groups that defend such actions. They believe that protecting both the perpetrators and victims and demonstrating mature civic consciousness requires a thorough investigation and the clear designation of responsibility. Only then, they stated, can a sincere apology be met with a response of beautiful harmony and magnanimous tolerance.

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We are not seeking merciless punishment, but rather to help them understand the responsibility that comes with wrongdoing, thereby fostering sound judgment and preventing similar incidents.