Singer JK Kim Dong-wook Defends Baejae High School Baseball Team Again: "My Heart Aches for the Parents"

As all members of the Baejae High School baseball team, along with their coaches, parents, and school staff, prepare to visit Gwangju Jeil High School to offer a joint apology, singer JK Kim Dong-wook has once again defended the team, which was disciplined for using cheering slogans reminiscent of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Recently, JK Kim Dong-wook posted on social media, "Go Baejae," and wrote, "People can make mistakes in life. Is it right to trample on the future of growing children and turn them into political scapegoats?" He further argued, "They should apologize to each other and be allowed to return to the game with a good heart," adding, "Even though I don't have children, my heart aches when I think of the parents," and "Do not use these children for politics." Along with the post, JK Kim Dong-wook included a message of support for Baejae High School, featuring his own song as background music. JK Kim Dong-wook, who holds Canadian citizenship, has repeatedly posted messages defending Baejae High School since the controversy began, using phrases such as "a happening that occurred while the kids were playing baseball" and "atrocities by the far-left." He has consistently expressed his views on domestic political issues on social media, including his opposition to the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Meanwhile, regarding the Baejae High School incident, Hur Ji-woong wrote, "The remarks made by the Baejae High School baseball players are hate speech," adding, "Hate speech has nothing to do with freedom of expression." He further pointed out, "Such words and writings from public officials and politicians have fueled regional hatred," and criticized the tendency to "wrap hate in the guise of upholding principles and encourage it by saying it is acceptable." Hwang Hee-doo, a director at the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, also appeared on the YouTube show Maebul Show and introduced JK Kim Dong-wook's previous posts, which included phrases like "a happening that occurred while the kids were playing baseball," "atrocities by the far-left," and "trash sentiment." He criticized him, saying, "He is a Canadian who hasn't even served in the military, yet he speaks out more passionately about Korean politics than anyone else. What is this?" He argued that the incident cannot be viewed as a simple mistake by students, citing the school's internal environment and similar past cases. He also stated, "If it ends with just an apology, there is no impact, no punishment, and no price to pay. That is why it keeps repeating," adding, "Education alone does not apply to reality. Hate speech must be followed by tangible responsibility and disciplinary action." The controversy began when it was revealed that some players from Baejae High School shouted cheering slogans reminiscent of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement toward Gwangju Jeil High School during the Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship held last month. The Korea Baseball Softball Association deemed the act a violation of sports human rights regulations and suspended the Baejae High School baseball team from national competitions for six months. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and the school also issued official apologies. All 36 members of the Baejae High School baseball team, along with approximately 80 others including coaches, parents, and school staff, are scheduled to visit Gwangju Jeil High School on July 6 for a joint apology and a time of reconciliation, followed by a visit to the May 18th National Cemetery. Reported by Kang Kyung-yoon | Produced by SBS Entertainment News
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