[Anchor]

The controversy surrounding the derogatory cheering by Baejae High School baseball team members, which we reported yesterday, June 29, continues to escalate. The principal of Gwangju Jeil High School, the opposing team, visited the Korea Baseball Softball Association today to lodge a strong protest. The association is set to decide on disciplinary measures for the Baejae High School baseball team and the students involved tomorrow, July 2.

Bae Jeonghun reports first.

[Reporter]

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

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

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

[Lee Kyu-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 tomorrow to hear from the parties involved before determining the level of disciplinary action.

According to the association's 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 deemed to have damaged the dignity of athletes due to social controversy, a suspension of five to ten years or permanent expulsion is possible.

Furthermore, if association guidelines are violated, the entire team could potentially be suspended from participating in tournaments.

As various civic groups in the Gwangju region have stepped 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 demanded strict measures against those responsible and the establishment of fundamental measures to prevent recurrence.

It is reported that Baejae High School is considering forfeiting its second-round match of the Blue Dragon Flag tournament scheduled for July 3.

(Video reporting: Park Hyun-cheol, Na Byeong-wook KBC | Video editing: Lee Seung-jin | Design: Jang Chae-woo, Hwang Se-yeon)