Gwangju Jeil High delays apology visit from Baejae High over discriminatory chants

Gwangju Jeil High School has requested a postponement of an apology visit from Baejae High School, citing that their students are not yet emotionally prepared to accept the apology. The controversy erupted during a national high school baseball tournament when some Baejae High students allegedly used cheering slogans that mocked the May 18th Gwangju Democratization Movement.

The incident occurred during a game between the two schools at Mokdong Baseball Stadium. Reports indicate that Baejae High players shouted phrases like "We have to go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day" towards the Gwangju Jeil dugout. These remarks were seen as a direct reference to a recent controversy involving Starbucks Korea's use of the term 'Tank Day' around the anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, leading to widespread criticism of the cheering as discriminatory and offensive.

Baejae High had planned to visit Gwangju Jeil High with its principal, vice-principal, staff, students, and some parents to offer an apology. However, Gwangju Jeil High Principal Lee Gyu-yeon communicated that the school is currently in its examination period, and the baseball team members, in particular, need time to process the situation. He emphasized that the school community is not ready for the visit and requested Baejae High reconsider the timing.

Lee Gyu-yeon expressed willingness to coordinate a future visit once Gwangju Jeil students feel ready, aiming for a more meaningful exchange. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has stated it respects the psychological well-being of Gwangju Jeil students and will work with Baejae High to schedule the visit. The Korea Baseball Softball Association has also referred the Baejae High baseball team to its Sports Ethics Committee for a comprehensive investigation.

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Currently, it is the examination period, and especially the baseball team members are not yet emotionally prepared. As the school community is not ready for this situation, we have conveyed our intention to Baejae High to reconsider the visit at this time.