"Let's go to Starbucks" — Baeja High School and Gwangju Ilgo High School mocked controversy → Sports Korea to go to the Fair Trade Commission... School publishes official apology

*This content was translated by AI.

Seoul Baejae High School is to be referred to the Korea Fair Trade Commission for making regional derogatory remarks toward Gwangju Jeil High School students during a high school baseball tournament.

A Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA) official told StarNews on the 29th, "Reports regarding the controversy at Baejae High School have been received via email and other means. Given that there are tournament regulations, a meeting of the Sports Korea Fair Trade Commission is expected to be held."

The match between Baejae High School and Gwangju Jeil High School, held on the same afternoon at Seoul Mokdong Baseball Stadium as part of the 81st Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship and the Weekend League King of Kings Tournament, became a source of controversy.

The Baeje High School team sparked controversy by chanting a mocking slogan directed at Gwangju Jeil High School players during the game: "Go, go, Starbucks, go." The chant is a modified version of the existing high school players' slogan "Go, go, get a hit, go," with only the middle portion altered.

Given that it was a national tournament, many eyes, including KBO club scouts and parents, were watching, and the footage was quickly recorded and spread rapidly within online communities.

The reason this slogan became controversial is linked to the May 18 Starbucks controversy. Starbucks Korea sparked controversy by holding a "Tank Day" event on the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. It was a major social issue, and other videos shouting "Tank Day" were also discovered, making criticism unavoidable.

Eventually, the Gwangju Jeil High coach directly protested with the phrase "Stop it," and the umpire even intervened to stop the situation. KBO scouts at the scene also recognized the issue. A scout from a KBO team confirmed that "Baejae High engaged in regional disparaging cheers against Gwangju Jeil High."

The Baekje High School side conveyed its apology directly to Gwangju Ilgo High School after the match. Gwangju Jeil High School head coach Jo Yun-chae explained, "After the game, the Baekje High School head coach, coaches, and even parents all apologized. The Baekje High School head coach also called to say that a school disciplinary committee regarding the player in question is being convened and that character education will be implemented immediately. He also stated that the school would take all possible measures, including posting an apology on the school website or through broadcasts."

In fact, Baeja High School bowed its head through its school website, stating, "We sincerely apologize for causing deep hurt and disappointment to the Gwangju Jeil High School team, parents, alumni, and many others, including Gwangju citizens, due to the inappropriate cheer slogans used by some of our student-athletes during today's match against Gwangju Jeil High School."

At the same time, it stated, "The aforementioned support was a highly inappropriate act that violated the spirit of sports, which requires respect for the opposing school and the local community. It was a highly inappropriate act lacking in historical significance and respect for the local community. The school is taking this matter very seriously and has promised to prevent recurrence."

▶ The following is the full text of the official apology from Baejae High School.

Apology letter

Today's match in the Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship against Gwangju Jeil High School

Due to inappropriate cheer slogans by some student-athletes at our university in China,

The Gwangju Jeil High School team, parents, alumni, and Gwangju

To all citizens and many others who were deeply hurt and disappointed,

We sincerely apologize.

Immediately restrain the student player and take necessary measures on the spot.

and conveyed apologies to the Gwangju Jeil High School baseball team after the game.

Transmitted.

Such support must respect the spirit of sportsmanship, which honors both the opposing school and the local community.

It was a very inappropriate action that deviated from the historical significance and the local community.

It was a highly inappropriate action that lacked respect for Korea. The school, this time

We are taking the matter very seriously.

Accordingly, our university will implement the following follow-up measures.

First, the student athlete in question will be referred to the Student Life Education Committee.

We will handle this strictly in accordance with the school regulations and procedures.

Second, sportsmanship, human rights sensitivity, and community for all members of the baseball team.

We will conduct special education on awareness and player ethics.

Third, using this incident as an opportunity, students' historical awareness and respect for others,

Continuous re-education to prevent recurrence and establish a proper culture of support.

We will do our utmost to ensure that the same incident never happens again.

To all those who have been emotionally hurt by this incident, once again, we sincerely apologize.

We sincerely apologize, and the school takes this matter seriously.

We will continue to strive to establish proper character education and a healthy support culture.

We will do our utmost to ensure that such an incident never occurs again.

June 29, 2026

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*This content was translated by AI.