Paichai baseball team delivers apology to Gwangju Jeil students over unsportsmanlike chants

The Paichai High School baseball team, its coaching staff, and teachers have issued formal apologies after student athletes mocked the May 18 Democratization Movement during a baseball game against Gwangju Jeil High School. The incident prompted a group of 80, including the principal, parents, and education officials, to visit Gwangju Jeil High School to deliver a handwritten apology in person.

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We offer our deepest apologies for causing grave distress to the Gwangju Jeil High School baseball team, their parents, and people of Gwangju for the inappropriate comments and actions demonstrated by our students in the baseball pitch, which should always signify dreams and hope.

In their apology, the Paichai High School athletes stated, "We offer our deepest apologies for causing grave distress to the Gwangju Jeil High School baseball team, their parents, and people of Gwangju for the inappropriate comments and actions demonstrated by our students." They expressed deep regret and acknowledged the significant emotional pain inflicted upon their fellow athletes, recognizing their behavior was unacceptable.

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Every member of our team deeply regrets this incident. Through this experience, we have come to understand the importance of maintaining strong moral standards and conducting ourselves with integrity, both on and off the baseball field.

The coach of the Paichai High School baseball team accepted full responsibility for the incident. He admitted, "I can make no excuses for the fact that the players on my team shouted chants fueling regional discrimination against the students at Gwangju Jeil High." He acknowledged his failure to properly instill sportsmanship and respect, stating that his focus on winning the game should not excuse his lack of immediate intervention. The team and coach vowed to reflect on their actions and never forget the incident.

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I can make no excuses for the fact that the players on my team shouted chants fueling regional discrimination against the students at Gwangju Jeil High.