Gwangju Ilgo Files Official Protest Against Paejae High School for Mocking May 18 Uprising

Submission of Protest Letter Over Mocking Chants Like "Tank Day"

Gwangju Jeil High School (Gwangju Ilgo) has submitted an official letter of protest to the Korea Baseball Softball Association, urging measures to prevent recurrence, after students from the Paejae High School baseball team shouted chants during a high school baseball tournament that mocked and demeaned the May 18 Democratic Uprising and the players of Gwangju Ilgo.

Lee Kyu-yeon, principal of Gwangju Jeil High School (Gwangju Ilgo), is visiting the Korea Baseball Softball Association in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 30th to deliver a protest letter regarding the controversy over the cheering slogans of the opposing team, Paejae High School, that occurred during the national high school baseball tournament. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Gwangju Ilgo on June 30, Principal Lee Kyu-yeon visited the Korea Baseball Softball Association at the Olympic Hall in Seoul that morning to submit the letter of protest.

This protest was in response to some Paejae High School baseball players chanting "Let's go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day" towards the Gwangju Ilgo players' dugout during the 81st Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League King of Kings match at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul the previous day.

The chants are interpreted as mocking and derogatory, recalling last month's incident in which Starbucks Korea was criticized for launching a tumbler discount event on May 18, using phrases like "5·18 Tank Day" and "Bang on the Desk" in their promotions, which evoked memories of the May 18 Democratic Uprising and the torture and death of activist Park Jongcheol.

Gwangju Ilgo called on the Korea Baseball Softball Association, which oversees the tournament, to ban all chants or expressions that mock or demean opponents in every match.

Principal Lee Kyu-yeon stated, "Yesterday's incident left a deep wound for the 40,000 alumni of Gwangju Ilgo—home of the Gwangju Student Independence Movement and a baseball team with over 100 years of history—as well as for the citizens of Gwangju and Jeonnam and many who pursue a just Korea."

He emphasized, "It is unacceptable that voices of hatred and ridicule echoed at a high school baseball stadium, which should be a place of education where fair play and mutual respect are upheld. Such actions not only disappoint baseball fans across regions but also represent an immoral lack of consideration and respect for others."

Principal Lee also requested, "The association should continuously educate players, coaches, parents, and spectators not to demean opponents before or after games, and take appropriate action against players and coaches who violate this."

Amid the "Paejae High School controversy," it has also come to light that during the semifinals of the 80th Golden Lion National High School Baseball Tournament at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul on May 14, a player from Seoul Chungam High School called Gwangju Ilgo players "the cradle of rebellion."

This, too, is seen as a derogatory expression equating the May 18 Democratic Uprising with rebellion and belittling students from Gwangju. The incident is expected to be investigated by the Korea Baseball Softball Association and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

A baseball coach in Gwangju commented, "Taunting and jeering at the opposing team should not cross the boundaries of sportsmanship. This incident should be handled strictly and lead to the establishment of measures to eliminate regional, gender, and racial discrimination."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.