Korean history instructor Choi Tae-sung has expressed deep shame over the controversy surrounding Baejae High School baseball players who mocked the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement during a game against Gwangju Jeil High School.
On Wednesday, Choi posted a photo on Instagram of Baejae Hakdang, the predecessor institution of Baejae High School, writing: "Baejae Hakdang — founded by Appenzeller, who opened the preface to modern scholarship in Korea. What this school stood for was service."
He then added: "Watching what has been happening lately, shouldn't we — the older generation, myself included — urgently reflect on where education in South Korea is headed? I am deeply ashamed of myself."
The post was tagged with hashtags including #BaejaeHighSchool, #Starbucks, #Tank and #Appenzeller.
During a Cheongnyonggi National High School Baseball Championship game against Gwangju Jeil High School on June 29, Baejae High School players performed a group chant shouting "Let's go to Starbucks" and used the phrase "Tank Day" — remarks widely interpreted as regional slurs. The chants were seen as a deliberate jab at a Starbucks boycott that erupted after the coffee chain became embroiled in a "5.18 mockery controversy" over its "Tank Day" promotional event, with the players appearing to celebrate purchasing Starbucks products in defiance of the boycott.
The May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement was a civic uprising in which Gwangju residents resisted Chun Doo-hwan and the new military junta's seizure of power through insurrection. Critics say the players' mockery of the tragic event — in which many civilians lost their lives — illustrates how far-right sentiment spreading among teenagers has eroded basic human decency. The incident has also drawn criticism for the ignorance it reflects: using the freedom of expression won through the pro-democracy movement to ridicule that very movement, and displaying a fundamental lack of historical knowledge. Many have expressed shock that open hatred and discrimination against a specific region were displayed so brazenly in a public setting. The coaches and other adults present at the time, who failed to stop the behavior, have also faced widespread condemnation.
Baejae High School issued an apology and pledged follow-up measures, and conveyed its wish to visit Gwangju Jeil High School in person to apologize. The school is also considering withdrawing from its remaining tournament games as a gesture of remorse.
However, observers have noted that in many developed countries, discriminatory conduct based on gender, race or regional identity is met with severe penalties including expulsion, and that comparable disciplinary action is warranted here.
The incident echoes a separate controversy from last month, when a Korean YouTuber reported being subjected to racial discrimination immediately after a World Cup qualifying match between South Korea and the Czech Republic, drawing widespread outrage from sports fans online.
paq@heraldcorp.com
