Baejaego apologizes, but penalty stands — one day left to seek review

With one day left before the deadline to request a disciplinary review, Gwangju Ilgo — the school targeted in the incident — and its alumni association have asked the relevant authorities to show leniency toward the Baejaego High School baseball team, which received a heavy penalty for chanting slogans that mocked the May 18th Democratic Uprising.

Gwangju Ilgo issued a statement Tuesday urging the Korea Baseball Softball Association and baseball officials to "pool all available administrative capacity and wisdom to give the Baejaego baseball players a fresh start on the field, in the spirit of yesterday's forgiveness and reconciliation."

The school also said it hoped "the Baejaego students, faculty, parents and alumni association, who came in person to deliver their apology and pledged a new beginning, can now set down the burden in their hearts and quickly return to their daily lives." It added that it hoped the incident would serve as a turning point for eliminating a cheer culture that demeans or ridicules opponents, and for rebuilding the game as a place of mutual respect and education.

The Gwangju Ilgo alumni association said its "ultimate, non-negotiable goal is not the punishment of young students, but the restoration of proper education and justice," adding that "branding a scarlet letter on the chests of students who have deeply repented and sincerely sought forgiveness is not the path we seek."

The association also called on its members to lead the way in seeking leniency for the Baejaego students, invoking the inscription on the Gwangju Student Independence Movement Monument — "Only the righteous path is our life" — and urging that "students who have truly reflected and pledged a new life receive the mercy of the relevant authorities."

At the same time, the alumni association urged action on four fronts in the wake of the incident: eradicating the hate culture to which students are exposed, holding accountable the coaches, schools and education offices that enabled or were involved in the incident, implementing education to prevent a recurrence, and enacting legislation to punish acts that mock or disparage national memorial days.

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, Baejaego had not filed a request for a disciplinary review, according to the Korea Sports Council.

If a review is requested, the Korea Sports Council's Sports Fair Play Committee will deliberate and issue a final ruling. Under committee rules, a decision must be reached within 60 days of receiving the application, and the council said the committee typically convenes and concludes its review within that two-month window.

The key question is whether Baejaego's apology and the aggrieved school's expressed willingness to show leniency will be taken into account during the review process.

A Korea Sports Council official said past cases have been decided in favor of the applicant on review, explaining that "even if a penalty was initially imposed based on the facts available at the time, if circumstances have since changed — such as the victim accepting an apology and expressing forgiveness — the committee members will make a comprehensive judgment taking all factors into consideration."

The official added that "the aggrieved party may also submit a petition indicating they do not seek a severe punishment," and said the various circumstances in this case would likewise be reviewed together during the deliberation process.

On Monday, the principal of Baejaego, along with baseball team students, the coach and parents, visited Gwangju Ilgo to issue a formal apology. The school expressed remorse to members of the Gwangju Ilgo community and to the victims and bereaved families of the May 18th Democratic Uprising who were hurt by the controversy.

Gwangju Ilgo's baseball team and Principal Lee Kyu-youn accepted Baejaego's apology and offered their support for both sides going forward. The two teams then visited the Gwangju Student Independence Movement Monument on the Gwangju Ilgo campus and the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in succession to pay their respects.

The controversy began on June 29, when Baejaego baseball players chanted "Let's go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day" during a game against Gwangju Ilgo at Seoul's Mokdong Baseball Stadium — slogans widely understood as mocking the May 18th uprising.

The Korea Baseball Softball Association's Sports Fair Play Committee subsequently voted on Wednesday to impose a six-month competition ban on Baejaego and to forfeit the team's remaining games in the 81st Cheongnyonggi National High School Baseball Championship.

The association notified the school of the disciplinary decision the same day. Under the applicable rules, Baejaego has until Wednesday — one week from the date of notification — to file a review request with the Korea Sports Council's Sports Fair Play Committee.