Actor Im Ho (left), the gate of Baejae High School. Courtesy of Im Ho, Yonhap News

Actor Im Ho personally apologized for the recent controversy over Baejae High School’s region-disparaging cheering.

On the 6th, Im Ho published an apology in the Gwangju·Jeollanam-do regional daily Mudeung Ilbo, stating, “I bow my head and sincerely apologize for the deep hurt caused by the inappropriate cheering displayed by Baejae High School baseball team students at the recent Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship.”

He continued, “The students’ actions were clearly wrong, and I deeply recognize that responsibility also lies with the school and alumni seniors for failing to prevent those wrongs and instill proper values,” adding, “The school is not only offering a prompt apology but also preparing an educational program to prevent a recurrence, which will be implemented immediately after the ongoing regular exams conclude.”

Addressing Gwangju Jeil High School, he said, “We are sincerely grateful for graciously accepting our visit to apologize,” and emphasized, “We will not dismiss this incident as a mere mistake or deviation; instead, we will treat it as an opportunity for thorough remorse and self-reflection, and we will spare no ongoing support so that students can learn to respect others, develop a sense of community, and grow into Baejae students with proper sportsmanship and character.”

To apologize for chants that belittled the May 18 Democratization Movement and demeaned a region, about 80 people including Baejae High School’s baseball team students, the principal, faculty, and parents from Seoul, who visited Gwangju Jeil High School in Buk-gu, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, paid their respects together with Gwangju Jeil High School students at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery on the 6th. Senior Reporter Kang Yun-jung

Earlier, on the 29th of last month at Mokdong Stadium in Seoul during the 81st Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship, some Baejae students shouted toward Gwangju Jeil High School, “Let’s go to Starbucks” and “Tank Day,” drawing criticism for mocking the May 18 Democratization Movement in Gwangju.

The Baejae students’ region-disparaging remarks stemmed from the recent controversy over a Starbucks Korea promotion. Starbucks ran a tumbler discount event timed to the May 18 Democratization Movement memorial day, but drew strong protests for using promotional copy such as ‘5·18 Tank Day’ and ‘A thump on the desk’.

Due to the controversy, the Baejae High School baseball team received a six-month competition suspension from the Korea Baseball Softball Association’s Sports Fairness Committee, and on the 6th, about 80 people including Im Ho, Baejae baseball players, faculty, and parents visited Gwangju Jeil High School to apologize and seek forgiveness. They then paid their respects at the Gwangju Student Independence Movement Monument on the Gwangju Jeil campus and at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery.

Regarding the baseball team’s suspension, Gwangju Jeil High School held a press conference to ask for leniency, and Baejae High School decided to seek a review.