![Kim Dae-jung, superintendent of education for the South Jeolla Province-Gwangju integrated special city, visits Gwangju First High School on July 1, the first day of his tenure, to console the school's baseball team, which was hurt by regional slurs chanted by rival Baejaego's players at a recent national tournament, and to present an encouragement grant for improving the team's training facilities. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/07/05/rcv.YNA.20260701.PYH2026070122080005400_P1.jpg)
Gwangju First High School has asked police to protect its facilities ahead of a scheduled apology visit by Baejaego, whose students sparked widespread outrage by chanting slogans mocking the May 18 pro-democracy uprising.
Gwangju First High School — commonly known as Gwangju Ilgo — submitted a facility protection request to police on Thursday, seeking to prepare for any safety incidents, including the possibility of large crowds gathering ahead of Sunday's planned visit by Baejaego's baseball team.
Police said they would deploy dozens of officers near the school to handle any unexpected incidents or confrontations. Officers will focus on maintaining order outside the school grounds, while Gwangju Ilgo said it would manage the interior on its own.
On Saturday, a threatening post appeared on an online community claiming that an explosive device had been planted at Gwangju Ilgo, prompting police and fire department authorities to conduct a search. No explosive was found. Police are continuing their investigation to identify the person who made the post.
The controversy began June 29, when Baejaego baseball players chanted slogans including "Let's go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day" — phrases widely recognized as mockery of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement — during a match against Gwangju Ilgo at the 81st Cheongnonggi National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League Finals at Seoul's Mokdong Stadium.
newday@heraldcorp.com
