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10 clusters · 12 sources · 61 days · First seen · Last updated

South Korean school baseball chant controversy

Overview

In June 2026, Baek Jae High School’s baseball team received a six-month competition ban after chants mocking the May 18 1980 Gwangju democratization movement. The team apologized in early July, visiting Gwangju First High School and the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery with education officials from Seoul and Gwangju. A similar incident occurred at Paichai High School, whose baseball squad was also suspended for six months after chanting a Starbucks-related slogan that referenced the Gwangju uprising; the team later visited the May 18 National Cemetery and the Seoul education office pledged history and human-rights education. Baek Jae (also reported as Baekjae) sought leniency, with victim-family groups urging the Korean Sports Fairness Committee to consider a reduced penalty. On 20 July the sanction was cut to one month, allowing participation in the upcoming Bonghwanggi national tournament. Police dropped criminal investigations after the victim school declined to press charges. The school’s two-hour civic-education session on 22 July was criticized by students for being brief and ineffective. In August, two Baek Jae players received medium-level disciplinary sanctions from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, while ten teammates received lighter penalties. On 12 August, the team returned to official competition at the 54th Bonghwangdaegi National High School Baseball Tournament at Mokdong Baseball Stadium, marking their first game after a 45-day suspension. The team lost 5-8 to Incheon High School, resulting in their elimination and the end of their season. During the match, the team maintained a restrained atmosphere, avoiding loud cheering and bowing to the crowd. The head coach was excluded from the game due to internal disciplinary measures, and the two players involved in the initial controversy were barred from participating.

Entities

Korea Baseball Softball Association · Gwangju Jeil High School · Baejae High School · Baekjae High School · Incheon High School

Timeline

  1. 19 days ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    KBSA disciplines Baejae High School manager and players over derogatory cheering

    The KBSA has suspended a Baejae High School manager and two players for one month following derogatory cheering during a high school baseball game. An umpire also received a one-month suspension.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Baejae High School baseball returns to competition after suspension

    Baejae High School baseball team returned to competition after a 45-day suspension regarding 5·18 controversy, but lost 5-8 to Incheon High School in the Bonghwangdaegi tournament.

  3. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Baekjae High School baseball students disciplined over 'Starbucks' chant

    Two Baekjae High School baseball players were disciplined after chanting “Starbucks 가야지” toward Gwangju Jeil High School, a reference seen as disrespectful to the 5·18 movement; ten others received lighter bans

  4. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Baekjae High School baseball team sanction cut after 5·18 chant controversy; civic education criticized

    Baekjae High School’s baseball team had a six‑month ban for chanting “Starbucks 가야지” in a 5·18 mockery, later reduced to one month, and students say the follow‑up civic education was ignored as they slept.

  5. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Baejae High School baseball team’s ban cut to one month, enabling tournament entry

    Baejae High School’s baseball team had its six‑month ban reduced to one month, permitting participation in the Bonghwanggi tournament after apologizing for a controversial chant.

  6. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Baekjae High School Baseball Team Receives 6‑Month Ban Over 5·18 Mock Chant

    Baekjae High School’s baseball team was banned for six months after chanting slogans mocking the 5·18 Democratic Movement; a re‑examination on 20 April could lessen the penalty and permit entry into the next B‑

  7. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Baekjae High School baseball team seeks leniency as disciplinary review approaches

    Baekjae High School baseball faces a six‑month ban for offensive chants; after apologies, 5·18 groups urge leniency ahead of a May 20 disciplinary review.

  8. 3 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Paichai High School baseball team suspended for six months after Gwangju uprising chants

    Paichai High School’s baseball team was suspended for six months after chanting slogans mocking the 1980 Gwangju uprising; the school appealed the decision and later visited Gwangju to apologise, with new human

  9. 3 months ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Baek Jae High School baseball team apologizes in Gwangju for 5·18 chant

    Baek Jae High School’s baseball team apologized in Gwangju for 5·18‑mocking chants, visited the democratic cemetery, and faced a six‑month competition ban.

  10. 3 months ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Gwangju First High School and Baejae High School Apologize and Visit 5·18 Democratic Cemetery

    Baejae High School’s baseball team will apologise to Gwangju First High School for a chant mocking the 5·18 protest and together they will visit the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, with education officials P

Sources

biz.heraldcorp.com · cursorinfo.co.il · english.hani.co.kr · hani.co.kr · isplus.com · koreaherald.com · koreatimes.co.kr · m.hani.co.kr · m.imaeil.com · news.donga.com · news.heraldcorp.com · stv.seoul.co.kr

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history