Disciplinary Action Expected Today Over Controversial "Starbucks" Chant

[Anchor]

Controversy is mounting after students from the Baejae High School baseball team used a chant mocking the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement during a game against Gwangju Jeil High School. The association is set to decide on disciplinary measures for the Baejae High School baseball team and the students involved today, July 1.

Reporter Bae Jeonghun has the story.

[Reporter]

[Let's go, let's go, let's go to Starbucks~ Tank Day~]

As the incident, in which Baejae High School baseball players chanted slogans disparaging the Gwangju Democratization Movement during a game against Gwangju Jeil High School two days ago, continues to cause a major stir, the principal of the affected Gwangju Jeil High School visited the Korea Baseball Softball Association yesterday to deliver a letter of protest.

He demanded strong action from the association, stating that such incidents must never be repeated.

[Lee Gyu-yeon/Principal of Gwangju Jeil High School: I believe that such behavior, especially in a situation where the wounds of local residents regarding historical awareness are deep, is something that must not be repeated.]

The association will hold a Sports Fair Play Committee meeting today to hear from the parties involved before determining the level of disciplinary action.

According to association regulations, disorderly conduct at the stadium, such as drinking or causing a disturbance, can result in a suspension of one year or more. If the act is judged to have damaged the dignity of athletes due to causing social controversy, a suspension of five to ten years or even permanent expulsion is possible.

Furthermore, if association guidelines are violated, there is a possibility that the entire team could be suspended from participating in tournaments.

As various civic groups in the Gwangju region have come forward to condemn the regional hate speech by the Baejae High School baseball team, the Baejae Hakdang Alumni Association also stated that this incident has tarnished the honor of the school, which has a 140-year history rooted in the "Baejae Spirit." They have called for strict measures against those responsible and the establishment of fundamental measures to prevent a recurrence.

It is reported that Baejae High School is considering forfeiting its second-round game of the Blue Dragon Flag tournament scheduled for tomorrow.

Reported by Bae Jeonghun | Video by Park Hyun-cheol and Na Byeong-wook (KBC) | Video Editing by Lee Seung-jin | Graphics by Jang Chae-woo and Hwang Se-yeon
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.