The controversy surrounding the Baejae High School baseball team, which received disciplinary action for using a "Starbucks" chant during a game against Gwangju Jeil High School, is increasingly escalating into a clash between opposing factions.

The civic group Citizens' Committee for Livelihood Rights filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency this morning, calling for the punishment of officials from the Korea Baseball Softball Association on charges including coercion and obstruction of business.

The group argues that the disciplinary action taken against the Baejae High baseball team is excessive.

In addition, the Free Korea Protection Corps is also planning to file a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency containing similar arguments, and Kim Hye-ji, a former Seoul city council member who served as a full-time deputy spokesperson for former People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo, also announced on this day that she would file a complaint against the association's leadership.

Singer JK Kim Dong-uk wrote on his social media yesterday, "The regime is shorter than your future. Let's go Baejae."

The political sphere has also voiced its opinion.

People Power Party figures collectively criticized the association's disciplinary action against Baejae High during a supreme council meeting yesterday, calling it "excessive and violent."

Recently, in front of Baejae High School, wreaths sent by hard-line conservative groups were placed alongside wreaths criticizing hate speech related to the May 18 Democratization Movement, such as "Democracy is dead."

The Gwangju Jeil High School alumni association, the victim of this incident, stated that while a thorough investigation and disciplinary measures are necessary, they also expressed a cautious position that punishing the student athletes is not the only solution.

The Gwangju Seo-Jung and Jeil High School alumni association issued a statement yesterday welcoming the association's serious recognition of the situation, while stating, "Our goal is not the downfall of the students, but the restoration of education and justice."

Previously, some players from the Baejae High baseball team shouted "Let's go to Starbucks" toward the opposing dugout during a game against Gwangju Jeil High School at the 81st Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League King of Kings Tournament held at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul on June 29.

This sparked significant controversy as it was a mocking chant reminiscent of the so-called "May 18 Tank Day" event controversy involving Starbucks Korea last month.

Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Hong Jin-young | Graphics by Jung Yu-min | Produced by SBS Digital News | Source: JK Kim Dong-uk's Instagram