[Anchor]
Students from Paejae High School, who sparked controversy for mocking the May 18 Democratization Movement during a cheering session, visited Gwangju Jeil High School to offer a formal apology. Gwangju Jeil High School embraced the students, encouraging them to meet again for a fair and spirited competition.
KBC reporter Lee Jeong-hoo has the story.
[Reporter]
The baseball team members of Paejae High School, who were handed a six-month suspension and a forfeit for their match due to the use of slogans mocking the May 18 Democratization Movement, visited Gwangju to offer their apologies. This visit comes one week after the controversy arose over their use of a slogan linked to the Starbucks "5.18 Tank Day" marketing controversy.
[Paejae High School Baseball Team Captain: We sincerely apologize to the players, parents, and citizens of Gwangju who were deeply hurt by the inappropriate remarks and actions of the Paejae High School players.]
The players, coach, and faculty of Gwangju Jeil High School warmly accepted the apology. The students responded by saying the incident served as an opportunity for self-reflection and suggested that they meet again for a great game in the future.
[Lee Gyu-yeon / Principal of Gwangju Jeil High School: Paejae High School students, please lift your heads. The best way for you to seek forgiveness is to meet our students again and show your full potential in a fair and spirited match.]
After receiving a handwritten letter of apology and exchanging handshakes, the students from both schools visited the May 18th National Cemetery to pay their respects to the victims of the movement. The visit to the cemetery was also attended by the superintendents of education from Seoul and the Gwangju-Jeonnam region.
Following the controversy, the Korea Baseball Softball Association imposed a six-month suspension on Paejae High School and ruled a forfeit for their remaining games in the 81st Blue Dragon Flag tournament. The deadline for Paejae High School to file an appeal is July 8.
As critics point out that the responsibility for this incident lies heavily with adults who have remained indifferent to hate speech, there is a growing call for the expansion of democratic citizenship education.
(Video coverage: Park Myeong-shin, KBC)
Reported by Lee Jeong-hoo, KBC
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