Politician sends wreath to baseball team accused of mocking Gwangju Uprising

South Korean politician Lee Jin-sook of the People Power Party has sent a congratulatory wreath to Baejae High School's baseball team, whose players allegedly used slogans mocking the May 18th Gwangju Uprising during a game. The wreath bore the message, "What does Starbucks have to do with May 18th? We are with the Baejae High students."

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What does Starbucks have to do with May 18th? We are with the Baejae High students.

Lee defended the students, stating on Facebook that if Starbucks symbolizes an insult to May 18th and Gwangju, it should cease operations. She argued that punishing the Baejae High baseball team based on the assumption that "let's go to Starbucks" is an insult to the May 18th Uprising constitutes "shackling thought." Lee drew a parallel to the encouragement she received via wreaths when she was "automatically dismissed" from her position as chairperson of the Korea Communications Standards Commission, expressing a desire to offer similar support to the potentially fearful Baejae High students, whom she called "the future generation" and "the main players who will protect liberal democracy."

The incident began on May 29 during the 81st Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship. After the game, Baejae High players in the dugout allegedly chanted "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go to Starbucks" in unison with rhythmic movements while facing the Gwangju Jeil High School players. Some students also reportedly shouted, "Tank Day." These chants were perceived as mockery, referencing a recent controversy involving Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" promotion around the May 18th anniversary.

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If Starbucks symbolizes an insult to May 18th and Gwangju, it should cease operations.

Following widespread criticism, the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) imposed a six-month ban on Baejae High's baseball team from national competitions, citing violations of sportsmanship and disruption of order. The People Power Party leadership criticized the decision as excessive. The controversy has escalated into a political confrontation, with both condolence and congratulatory wreaths placed in front of Baejae High School. The district office has had to remove numerous wreaths due to public complaints.

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Punishing the Baejae High baseball team based on the assumption that 'let's go to Starbucks' is an insult to the May 18th Uprising constitutes 'shackling thought'.

Seoul Superintendent of Education, Jeong Geun-sik, apologized on Facebook for the incident, expressing deep regret to the students, parents, alumni of Gwangju Jeil High School, and the citizens of Gwangju. Gwangju Jeil High School has agreed to receive an apology visit from approximately 80 individuals from Baejae High, including student athletes, coaches, parents, and staff, on June 6. The two schools' baseball teams, along with their coaches, parents, and staff, plan to hold a 30-minute session for apology and reconciliation in the Gwangju Jeil High School auditorium, followed by a joint visit to the National 5·18 Cemetery.

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As the Superintendent of Education responsible for Seoul education, I bow my head and deeply apologize to the student athletes, parents, and alumni of Gwangju Jeil High School, and to the citizens of Gwangju who cherish this historical pain.