Paejae High School Students Offer Apology, Gwangju Jeil High School Declines

Student athletes from the Paejae High School baseball team, who sparked controversy with their Starbucks-related cheering chants, expressed their intention to visit Gwangju Jeil High School to apologize, but the school has declined the offer.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education stated today (July 1) that faculty, students from the baseball team, and parents from Paejae High School had conveyed their desire to visit Gwangju Jeil High School in person to offer an apology.
However, Gwangju Jeil High School requested that the visit be reconsidered, stating that they are not prepared to accept an apology at this time, citing the need to prioritize the psychological stability of their students.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education explained that it respects the psychological well-being of the Gwangju Jeil High School students as the top priority and will coordinate future visit schedules in consultation with the school.
Paejae High School also maintains a clear intention to visit and apologize in person at any time, but no specific date for the visit has been set as of now.
Previously, some members of the Paejae High School baseball team chanted slogans mentioning Starbucks toward the opposing dugout during a match against Gwangju Jeil High School at the 81st Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League Tournament held at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul on June 29.
One of the students was also heard shouting "Tank Day."
Critics pointed out that the chants were reminiscent of a recent controversy surrounding a promotional event held by Starbucks Korea in connection with the May 18 Democratization Movement.
In an internal school investigation, Paejae High School students reportedly claimed that one team member had inserted "Starbucks" into a cheering chant, and the others followed along impulsively.
Although Paejae High School posted an apology on social media and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education launched an investigation, the controversy continues.
Three organizations related to the May 18 movement and the May 18 Memorial Foundation have issued statements of criticism, and teachers' unions have also called for government-wide measures to address historical distortion.
Lee Gyu-yeon, principal of Gwangju Jeil High School, delivered a letter of protest to the Korea Baseball Softball Association, and the matter has currently been referred to the Sports Fair Committee.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.