A Complete Summary of the Baejae High School Baseball Team Controversy! Player Roster, Instagram (+Lim Jong-ho's Apology)

A comprehensive summary of the controversy surrounding the Baejae High School baseball team's cheering slogans disparaging the May 18 Uprising and the local region during the Blue Dragon Cup match against Gwangju First High School! We provide an easy and detailed overview covering the entire 2026 Baejae High School baseball team roster, Instagram reactions, the content of player Lim Jong-ho's apology, and even the prospects for future disciplinary action by the Baseball Association.

 

1. The full story behind the controversy surrounding the Baejae High School baseball team's mockery of the May 18 Uprising and regional disparagement 😡

This incident took place on June 29, 2026, at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul It occurred during the game between Baejae High School and Gwangju Jeil High School (Gwangju Ilgo) at the '81st Blue Dragon Flag National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League King of Kings Tournament'.

 

During the game, some student athletes in the Baejae High School dugout directed toward the opposing team, Gwangju Ilgo players "I should go to Starbucks," "Tank Day" They chanted the slogan over and over.

 

The reason this slogan is problematic is a recent event by a specific brand. This is because there is a clear underlying intention to openly mock the May 18 Democratization Movement and disparage the Gwangju region by alluding to the controversy.

 

Not only baseball fans but also the general public are in tremendous shock that such a lack of historical awareness and hateful remarks were made in the field of student sports, where sportsmanship is considered the most important thing.

 

Ultimately, Gwangju High School side The match was briefly suspended as Head Coach Jo Yun-chae and the team strongly protested to the referees, and although Baejae High School Head Coach Kwon Oh-young stepped in to resolve the situation immediately after the game by making apology calls, the controversy is not easily subsiding.

2. Baejae High School Baseball Team’s Official Apology and School’s Position

As the situation spiraled out of control, an apology was immediately posted on Baejae High School's official Instagram.

The school side "I sincerely apologize for causing deep hurt and disappointment to many people, including the Gwangju High School team, parents, alumni, and the citizens of Gwangju, due to the inappropriate cheering chants of some student athletes from our school during the Blue Dragon Cup," he said, bowing his head.

 

In addition, as a follow-up measure, they announced that they would refer the students in question to the Student Life Education Committee (Disciplinary Committee) to handle the matter strictly in accordance with school regulations, and conduct special education on sportsmanship, human rights sensitivity, and historical awareness for all members of the baseball team.

 

The Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) has also received a report regarding this incident and is reportedly convening a Sports Ethics Committee to seriously review the responsibility for team management and disciplinary action against the players involved, so we will have to wait and see what the level of punishment will be.

3. Baejae High School Baseball Team Roster Revealed

This is the full roster for the 2026 Baejae High School baseball team that was leaked among netizens, who commented, "It is too easy to find the player list." The repercussions are even greater because it includes a large number of players currently aiming for direct entry into high school or college followed by a professional draft pick.

 

 

Director: Kwon Oh-young

Coaches: Kim Seong-hyeon, Shin Woo-song, Lee Jang-hwan, Ha Jun-hyeong

 

3rd Year Player (Position/Back Number):

Kim Si-hoo (Pitcher / No. 11)

Kim Yu-chan (Infielder / No. 16)

Kim Ji-ho (Pitcher / No. 18)

Kim Tae-cheon (Pitcher / No. 21)

Kim Ha-rang (Outfielder / No. 3)

Park Jun-hyeok (Shortstop / No. 5)

Eom Tae-seong (Pitcher / No. 1)

Im Seo-hoo (Pitcher / No. 17)

Lim Jong-ho (Infielder / No. 6)

Im Tae-kang (Catcher / No. 2)

Jeong Yu-chan (Pitcher / No. 12)

 

2nd-year player:

Go Do-hyun (Pitcher/20), Kim Bo-guk (Outfielder/27), Kim Si-woo (Pitcher/47), Kim Jin-woo (Pitcher/19), Kim Tae-ho (Pitcher/31), Shin Jun-hyeok (Infielder/7), Oh Jun-hyeok (Catcher/10), Lee Jae-woo (Outfielder/28), Lee Ju-bin (Infielder/13), Lee Tae-seok (Outfielder/33), Lee Han-yul (Catcher/22), Choi Yun-je (Outfielder/8), Heo Geon-ho (Pitcher/30)

 

First-year player:

Ko Kang-wook (Pitcher/15), Ko Kyu-won (Pitcher/14), Kim Yu-hyun (Infielder/38), Noh Yun-eon (Pitcher/41), Noh Ha-yul (Pitcher/29), Moon Ji-seok (Infielder/25), Lee Jun-jae (Pitcher/23), Han Min (Infielder/24)

In baseball communities (such as the DC Inside Baseball Gallery), predictions are pouring in that this controversy will be a fatal blow to the careers of players likely to be drafted in this year's draft or college league (especially catcher Im Tae-kang, who has been mentioned).

4. Lim Jong-ho's First Apology and Instagram Community Reactions

On the evening of the day of the incident, in the baseball community A post titled 'Baejae High School Baseball Team's Im Jong-ho's First Apology Released' was uploaded and recorded a massive number of views.

 

It appears that third-year infielder Lim Jong-ho, who plays a pivotal role on the team, recognized his mistake and quickly posted an apology. Baseball community users are showing a cold reaction, saying, "If he wanted to get drafted or selected for college, he definitely should have apologized at this timing," and "Tank Day crossed the line."

 

Currently, as critical comments are flooding not only Baejae High School's official Instagram but also the individual players' accounts, some players are taking measures such as switching their accounts to private or taking down posts.

💡 Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1. Exactly why is the meaning of the slogan shouted by the Baejae High School baseball team problematic?
A1. This is because the terms they shouted, such as "Starbucks" and "Tank Day," can be interpreted as hate speech with Ilbe tendencies that caricatures the suppression methods (tanks) used by the martial law forces during the May 18 Democratization Movement or disparages specific regions. They are facing severe criticism for using a historical tragedy as a tool of mockery in a sports match.

 

Q2. What kind of disciplinary action will the players who caused the controversy receive?
A2. The matter has been referred to the Baejae High School Student Life Committee and is scheduled to receive internal disciplinary action (such as suspension of attendance or community service) in accordance with school regulations. Separately, it is highly likely that severe sanctions, such as a suspension from playing or disqualification from competitions, will be imposed by the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) Sports Ethics Committee.

 

Q3. Will this incident affect the players' selection in professional baseball (rookie draft)?
A3. Recently, professional baseball clubs conduct very thorough "morality and risk verification"—including school violence, character, and social controversies—when drafting players, in addition to their skills. In the case of players directly involved in controversies regarding historical disparagement or inciting regional animosity, there is a very high probability that the club will avoid drafting them out of concern for damaging its image.

 

 

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