Seoul education office apologizes for 'hate' cheers by high school baseball team

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has issued a formal apology following an incident where student athletes from Baejae High School used offensive cheers directed at Gwangju Jeil High School during a national high school baseball championship. The cheers, which included phrases like "Let's go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day," are widely interpreted as mocking the May 18th Gwangju Uprising and disparaging the region.

"We deeply apologize to the Gwangju Jeil High School baseball team, their parents, alumni, and the citizens of Gwangju who were hurt by this incident," the education office stated on May 30th. They acknowledged the severity of the situation, emphasizing that such inappropriate slogans can inflict deep wounds on opposing schools and communities. The office stressed that remarks trivializing historical pain or mocking specific regions are unacceptable in an educational setting and have no place in student sports.

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We deeply apologize to the Gwangju Jeil High School baseball team, their parents, alumni, and the citizens of Gwangju who were hurt by this incident.

In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education plans to visit Baejae High School to confirm the facts and will enhance anti-hate and anti-discrimination education for all schools operating sports teams. This includes reinforcing lessons on respecting opposing teams and communities, sportsmanship, human rights awareness, and historical understanding. The office also stated that while educational measures will be taken against the students involved, they will guard against personal attacks and excessive criticism, ensuring the matter is handled according to educational principles and procedures.

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Remarks that can be interpreted as mocking historical pain or mocking a specific region are never educationally desirable and should not occur in student sports.