[Official Announcement] "Go to Starbucks": Disparaging Regional Support Backfires... Baeja High School's Two Players and Coach, Along with Umpire Joo Sim, Face 'One-Month Suspension'

*This content was translated by AI.

In addition to two players from the Baeja High School baseball team whose cheers were perceived as disparaging the the 18th Democratization Movement, a one-month suspension was imposed on the coach responsible for supervision and instruction, as well as on umpire Joo Sim, who failed to intervene.

The Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) held its 12th Sports Korea Fair Trade Commission meeting at Seoul Olympic Hall on the 1st and deliberated and decided on disciplinary actions against individuals involved in the disparaging cheers that occurred during the Baeja High School vs. Gwangju Jeil High School (Gwangju Ilgo) match at the 81st Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship last June.

The Korea Fair Trade Commission imposed a one-month suspension on each of the two Baeja High School players who led cheers that disparaged the opposing team during the game, disrupting tournament order. The same one-month suspension was also decided for the Baeja High School coach due to negligence in supervising and instructing the player group.

The umpire assigned to the match at the time could not escape disciplinary action either. The KBSA imposed a one-month suspension on the umpire, citing responsibility for failing to take appropriate corrective measures on-site despite inappropriate chants continuing from the early stages of the game.

In contrast, the Gwangju Ilgo coach who publicly used abusive language and profanity toward the opposing dugout during protests against Baeja High School's cheers received a reprimand after considering the circumstances and details of the violation at the time.

The incident occurred on June 29 during the Cheongryonggi match between Gwangju Jeil High School and Baeja High School at Seoul Mokdong Stadium. Chants such as "Go, go, Starbucks, go," and "Tank Day" were heard from the Baeja High School team. These expressions, which modified existing cheers, particularly "Tank Day," evoked memories of the controversy surrounding Starbucks Korea's the 18th Democratization Movement commemorative event, amplifying the backlash. Since the phrase had been used in some online communities to disparage the the 18th Democratization Movement, criticism poured out over its use against students from the Gwangju region.

The KBSA held its 11th Sports Korea Fair Trade Commission meeting on July 1 and initially decided on group disciplinary action against the Baeja High School baseball team. Following this, after receiving statements from individuals including players, coaches, and umpires and conducting additional investigations, the association concluded the relevant disciplinary procedures this time.

The severity of the disciplinary measures also reflected the responses of those involved following the incident. The KBSA explained that it considered factors such as Baeja High School baseball team already receiving group-level discipline, the players' deep reflection on their mistakes, and the delivery of sincere apologies to Gwangju Jeil High School. The Gwangju Ilgo side also accepted the apology and requested leniency.

Previously, Baeja High School visited Gwangju Jeil High School to apologize at both the school and alumni association levels. Additionally, faculty members, coaches, players, and parents paid respects at the National the 18th Democratization Cemetery. Originally, a six-month suspension from national tournaments was imposed on the Baeja High School baseball team, but this was reduced to one month following a review by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.

Follow-up measures were also taken at the school level. Baeja High School convened its Student Life Committee and imposed severe disciplinary action on two students who led the problematic chants, while ten other students who followed received lighter penalties. The two students facing severe discipline reportedly informed the school of their intention to quit the baseball team recently.

The KBSA will also strengthen measures to prevent recurrence. Already last July, it urged local associations across provinces and cities to refrain from inappropriate cheers, and plans to expand educational activities targeting coaches and players regarding prohibitions on verbal abuse and inappropriate chants within stadiums.

Furthermore, starting from the 2027 national tournaments, the association will establish a code of conduct for player groups and related regulations, and strengthen responses to allow on-site umpires to impose immediate sanctions according to these rules in case similar incidents occur.

KBSA President Yang Hae-young stated, "It is deeply regrettable and shameful that such an unfortunate incident occurred at the student baseball level. We will do our utmost in on-site guidance and education so that players can learn proper sportsmanship while respecting one another."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.