Baejai High teachers to visit Gwangju to apologize over chant that mocked May 18 uprising

By Kim Yong-jae, The Herald Business

Teachers and staff from Baejai High School in Seoul plan to visit Gwangju Jeil High School to apologize on behalf of student players who sparked controversy by chanting slogans perceived as mocking the May 18 Gwangju pro-democracy movement during a high school baseball game.

According to education officials Tuesday, Baejai High faculty members were scheduled to visit Gwangju Jeil High School that morning to convey their apologies. Student players who shouted the chant and their parents are also reportedly discussing a separate visit to apologize in person. The visit comes just two days after the controversy erupted.

The incident occurred during a recent game against Gwangju Jeil High School at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul, part of the 81st Cheongnonggi National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League Finals. Some Baejai High baseball players chanted "Let's go, let's go, let's go to Starbucks" toward the opposing team's dugout. One student was also heard shouting "Tank Day" during the incident.

The chants drew sharp criticism for evoking imagery associated with the military crackdown during the May 18 pro-democracy movement, with many condemning them as mockery of the Gwangju community and victims of the uprising.

In Baejai High School's internal investigation, students said one baseball team member first modified an existing cheer by inserting "Starbucks," and other students spontaneously joined in.

Baejai High posted an apology on social media, and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education launched its own investigation, but the controversy has since spread beyond the education sector to May 18-related civic groups and teachers' organizations.

Three major May 18 groups — the bereaved families' association, the wounded survivors' association and the meritorious service association — along with the May 18 Memorial Foundation all issued statements condemning the incident. Teachers' organizations are also calling for pan-government action against historical distortion and what they describe as a far-right youth subculture.

Lee Kyu-youn, principal of Gwangju Jeil High School, sent a letter of protest to the Korea Baseball Softball Association. The matter has been referred to the Sports Fair Play Commission.