Players on the Seoul Baejae High School baseball team, who sparked controversy by chanting "Let's go to Starbucks" during a game, will visit Gwangju First High School on Friday to apologize.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education held an emergency briefing at its Yongsan headquarters Wednesday, announcing that all 36 members of the Baejae High baseball team, along with parents and school staff totaling about 80 people, will visit Gwangju First High at 3 p.m. Friday to apologize.
Afterward, they will pay their respects together with Gwangju First High at the May 18th National Cemetery. Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Superintendent of Education Kim Dae-jung and Seoul Superintendent of Education Jung Keun-sik will also accompany the visit.
Earlier, Baejae High Principal Lee Hyo-jun conveyed his intention to visit Gwangju First High through the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on the 1st of this month. Gwangju First High Principal Lee Kyu-yeon asked that the same-day visit be reconsidered, citing the exam period and the need for students' psychological stability.
Gwangju First High reportedly expressed its intention to accept the apology from the standpoint that the Baejae High players need to reflect on their wrongdoing and make a fresh start.
Some student athletes on the Baejae High baseball team chanted "Let's go, let's go, let's go to Starbucks" toward the opposing dugout during a game against Gwangju First High at the 81st Blue Dragon Flag National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League Champion of Champions tournament, held at Seoul's Mokdong Stadium on the 29th of last month. One of the students also loudly shouted "Tank Day."
The incident drew public anger as it coincided with a recent case in which Starbucks Korea, running a tumbler discount event timed to the anniversary of the May 18th Democratization Movement, promoted it with phrases such as "5·18 Tank Day" and "Tak on the desk."
The Baejae High baseball team received a six-month competition suspension, and the two students who led the chants have been referred to a life education committee and face disciplinary action.
Kim Heo-jung, head of the physical education, health and arts education division at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, stressed at the briefing that day, "We do not at all think that (the student athletes) are apologizing because they were pushed by adults," adding, "From what the school has determined, they are aware of their wrongdoing." He continued, "There is anxiety that they may no longer be able to play the baseball they had worked hard at with their lives on the line," and added, "They are trying to sincerely reflect and grow."
Not only the baseball team members but all Baejae High students will receive history and human rights education, as well as education on preventing discriminatory and hateful expressions, starting on the 8th.
