Some players from Baejai High School chant the "Let's go to Starbucks" slogan directed at Gwangju Jeil High School. [Provided by reader]
Some players from Baejai High School chant the "Let's go to Starbucks" slogan directed at Gwangju Jeil High School. [Provided by reader]

Baejai High School, which sparked controversy at a national high school baseball tournament by chanting a mocking "Let's go to Starbucks" slogan directed at Gwangju Jeil High School, is weighing several ways to apologize — including forfeiting its remaining games in the competition.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and other sources Tuesday, Baejai High principal Lee Hyo-jun conveyed his wish to visit Gwangju Jeil High in person to apologize. In response, Gwangju Jeil High principal Lee Kyu-youn said he would first consult with students before deciding on a course of action.

Baejai High posted an apology on its official website the previous day, saying it "sincerely apologizes for the deep hurt and disappointment caused to the Gwangju Jeil High players, their parents, alumni, Gwangju citizens and many others by the inappropriate cheering chants of some student athletes."

The school is also considering forfeiting its scheduled second-round game against Suncheon Hyocheon High on Thursday as a gesture of contrition. The decision requires careful deliberation, however, as it could significantly affect the college admissions prospects and professional draft opportunities of second- and third-year players.

The incident occurred Monday at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul during the 81st Cheongnonggi National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League Finals. Baejai High players repeatedly chanted slogans including "Let's go, let's go — to Starbucks" toward the Gwangju Jeil High dugout. One student was also heard shouting "Tank Day."

The chants drew immediate criticism as an apparent reference to the "May 18 Tank Day" marketing campaign by Starbucks Korea, which faced backlash in May for allegedly trivializing the May 18 pro-democracy uprising. Critics condemned the chants as denigrating the democratic movement and disparaging the Gwangju region.

Gwangju Jeil High's coaching staff immediately protested to the umpires, who issued a warning to Baejai High. Manager Kwon O-young and his coaching staff then went to the Gwangju Jeil High dugout to apologize.

The fallout, however, has continued to spread.

Gwangju Jeil High submitted a formal letter of protest to the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA), and teachers' organizations including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union issued statements condemning the incident.

The KBSA plans to convene its Sports Fair Play Committee on Wednesday to review the matter, and will also discuss whether to proceed with the scheduled second-round game between Baejai High and Suncheon Hyocheon High on Thursday.

Separately, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has launched its own investigation. Officials plan to visit Baejai High directly to examine how the incident unfolded, whether it was stopped at the scene, and what follow-up measures were taken.


betterj@heraldcorp.com