Kim Daejung: "Embrace of Reconciliation Between Gwangju Jeil and Paichai High... A Turning Point for Democratic Education"

"Just as the ground hardens after rain... Hoping the students will no longer be hurt"

Proposal to "continue building friendships through sports exchanges"

Eight days after a controversy erupted over mockery of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, students from Paichai High School in Seoul and Gwangju Jeil High School came together in a gesture of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Kim Daejung, Superintendent of Education for Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City Integration, wrote on Facebook on July 7 that the previous afternoon, students from both schools visited the Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial and the National May 18 Democratization Cemetery together. Jeong Geunsik, Superintendent of Education for Seoul Metropolitan City, also attended to witness the moment of reconciliation between the students.

Daejung Kim, Former Superintendent of Education for Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City.

Previously, Paichai High School students had sparked controversy on June 29 during the National High School Baseball Tournament by chanting a "Starbucks" slogan that appeared to mock the May 18 Democratization Movement.

Superintendent Kim explained, "Since the controversy arose, I have maintained that as this is an issue involving students, the conflict should not be further escalated and it would be best resolved through educational means." He added, "I sincerely hope that our students will no longer suffer over this matter," asking the public to refrain from excessive attention and remarks that could fuel further conflict and debate.

He described the recent visit as "not just an act of apology, but an educational process of understanding and respecting each other, and a meaningful practice of learning about democracy." Citing Superintendent Jeong’s words, he added, "Just as the ground hardens after rain, I hope the students realize that true learning begins from reflecting on one’s mistakes."

The Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City Integration Office of Education announced plans to further strengthen history and democratic citizenship education as a result of this incident. Superintendent Kim also proposed that, ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Gwangju Student Independence Movement in 2029, students from Jeonnam Gwangju and Seoul continue building friendships through joint sports exchanges.

He went on to encourage the students, saying, "I hope that our students, whose hearts must have been deeply hurt, will once again devote themselves to their studies and sports with the same vigor and health as before."

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