Baekjae High School Baseball Team Receives 6‑Month Ban Over 5·18 Mock Chant

During a high‑school baseball game on 29 January, Baekjae High School in Seoul cheered with slogans such as “Starbucks go” that were interpreted as mocking South Korea’s 5·18 Democratic Movement. The incident spread online, prompting outrage and a disciplinary response.

The Korean Baseball Softball Association imposed a six‑month ban on Baekjae’s participation in national tournaments. The team later visited Gwangju Jeil High School to apologise and paid respects at the national 5·18 Memorial. Jeil High School asked for leniency, noting the incident could become a learning moment for the Baekjae players.

Baekjae has appealed the sanction. A re‑examination hearing is set for 20 April; a reduced penalty could allow the team to compete in the upcoming Bonghwangdae national high‑school baseball tournament. The school has also filed a provisional injunction in court to suspend the ban. The case highlights concerns over hate‑speech and historical insensitivity in Korean schools and its potential impact on student athletes’ futures.