Gwangju Jeil High School has requested police protection ahead of a Sunday visit by students from Seoul's Baejae High School baseball team, who caused public controversy by chanting "Let's go to Starbucks" during a game.
Gwangju Jeil High School applied for facility protection to police on the afternoon of the 3rd, according to the Northern Police Station in Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City on the 5th. The request aims to prepare for possible safety accidents as crowds are expected to gather ahead of the Baejae High School baseball players' visit.
Police plan to deploy dozens of officers near the school on the day of the apology visit to prepare for any unexpected incidents or clashes.
The apology visit was arranged after Gwangju Jeil High School determined that an occasion for reconciliation was needed, as the Baejae players are reflecting on their wrongdoing. Baejae High School had earlier conveyed its intention to visit Gwangju Jeil High School through the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on the 1st, but Gwangju Jeil High School requested a reconsideration of the timing, citing the exam period and the need for students' psychological stability.
After visiting Gwangju Jeil High School, the students will pay their respects at the May 18th National Cemetery and participate in history education. Jeonnam Education Superintendent Kim Dae-jung and Seoul Education Superintendent Chung Keun-sik are also scheduled to accompany them for the tribute.
Some student athletes on the Baejae High School baseball team sparked controversy over trivializing the May 18 Democratization Movement when they chanted "Let's go, let's go, let's go to Starbucks" toward the Gwangju Jeil High School dugout during a game at the National High School Baseball Championship held on the 29th of last month. The Baejae baseball team was suspended from competition for six months over the incident, and two students who led the chant have been referred to a student conduct committee and face disciplinary proceedings.
