Case against Baejaego baseball players set to be closed after apology accepted

A case involving Baejaego High School baseball players who sparked controversy by chanting a slogan mocking the May 18 pro-democracy uprising during a game against Gwangju First High School (Gwangju Ilgo) is expected to be closed without referral to prosecutors.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jeong-bo said at a regular press briefing Monday that the investigation into insult charges against the Baejaego players would be dropped. "Baejaego recently visited Gwangju Ilgo and issued an apology, and the victims indicated they do not wish to pursue punishment," Park said. "Since this is a crime that cannot be prosecuted without the victim's consent, we plan to close the case on grounds of no right to prosecute."

Park added that the investigation had been initiated by a complaint from a member of the public, and that the complainant had since indicated they would withdraw the filing.

The controversy began when Baejaego baseball players chanted a slogan ridiculing the May 18 pro-democracy uprising during a national high school baseball tournament game on June 29. Criticism spread, particularly within the Gwangju community, and a series of complaints and accusations prompted police to open an investigation.

On Monday, Baejaego visited Gwangju Ilgo to issue a formal apology and paid their respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery. The school said it would put measures in place to prevent a recurrence, and Gwangju Ilgo accepted the apology and said it did not wish to see the players punished.