The suspension imposed on Pai Chai High School, which caused a stir for using cheers that disparaged the May 18 Democratization Movement, has been reduced from six months to one month.

The Sports Fair Committee of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee held a re-deliberation on the disciplinary action against the Pai Chai High School baseball team yesterday (July 20) and decided to reduce the suspension to one month.

[Interview] Lee Young-jin / Chairman, Sports Fair Committee of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee: "Considering that they are students still in the process of learning and that they have received forgiveness from the victims, we deemed a six-month suspension to be excessive. Therefore, we have finalized the decision to reduce the suspension to one month."

Pai Chai High School caused a major controversy on June 29 during a Blue Dragon Flag tournament match against Gwangju Jeil High School by chanting slogans that disparaged the May 18 Democratization Movement, and it was subsequently handed a heavy penalty of a six-month suspension from national tournaments by the Korea Baseball Softball Association.

The disciplinary level was lowered after the Pai Chai High School baseball team students and school officials visited Gwangju Jeil High School to apologize in person, and Gwangju Jeil High School accepted the apology and requested leniency.

With this decision, Pai Chai High School will be able to participate in the Bonghwangdaegi tournament, which opens next month.

Reported by Yang Doo-won | Video by Hwang Ji-young