[Anchor]

Police have launched an investigation after a post threatening to detonate explosives at Gwangju Jeil High School was uploaded online. Approximately 80 people, including the Baejae High School baseball players who received heavy disciplinary action for mocking the May 18 Democratization Movement, as well as their parents and faculty members, are scheduled to visit Gwangju today (July 6) to offer a direct apology.

Reporter Kwon Min-kyu has the story.

[Reporter]

Gwangju Jeil High School was the target of mocking cheers regarding the May 18 Democratization Movement from Baejae High School players during the Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship on June 29.

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

Two days ago, three days after Baejae High School was handed a six-month suspension from all national tournaments for disrupting the game and causing disorder, an anonymous post claiming that explosives had been planted at Gwangju Jeil High School appeared on an online community.

The author reportedly wrote, "They trampled on the future of the Baejae High School teenagers," in relation to the heavy disciplinary action taken against the players, and claimed, "I have planted a bomb at Gwangju Jeil High School."

Following the post, about 20 faculty members and others immediately evacuated the school. Police and fire authorities were dispatched to the scene and conducted a search of the premises for over two hours, but no explosives or hazardous materials were found.

The police launched a full-scale investigation into the author one day after the bomb threat was posted.

Authorities stated they would respond sternly, noting that the threat "constitutes a clear crime that infringes upon students' right to learn and disrupts the peaceful daily lives of citizens."

The Baejae High School baseball team, which expressed its intention to officially apologize earlier this month, is scheduled to visit Gwangju Jeil High School this afternoon with all 36 players, along with parents and faculty members—totaling about 80 people—to offer an apology and pay their respects at the May 18th National Cemetery.

The police are considering deploying one riot police company around the school to prepare for any potential emergencies.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education plans to conduct education on history, human rights, and the prevention of discrimination and hate speech for all students at Baejae High School starting July 8, in consultation with the school.

Reported by Kwon Min-kyu | Video by Kim Jun-hee | Graphics by Jang Chae-woo