Pai Chai High School with funeral wreaths [Yonhap News] 

On the 1st, the People Power Party called for a reconsideration of the Korea Baseball Softball Association’s decision to impose a six-month competition suspension on the Pai Chai High School baseball team, which sparked controversy for their so-called "Starbucks" cheering against Gwangju Jeil High School players at the Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship, calling the measure excessive.

Floor Leader Chung Jeon-sik stated on Facebook that day, "For young athletes, participating in national tournaments is a matter that affects their college admissions and their entire baseball careers. Since not all Pai Chai High School players committed the wrongdoing—and many did not participate in the mockery—a six-month suspension for the entire team is excessive."

He further urged, "Even if we have a duty to educate and guide, we do not have the right to trample on children's dreams," adding, "I ask that we refrain from excessive punishment or criticism that crushes the dreams of young teenagers who have yet to bloom in life."

Rep. Kim Jae-seop also remarked on Facebook, "The behavior of Pai Chai High School players in mocking the May 18th Democratic Uprising is low and cannot be pardoned," but pointed out, "The weight of the criticism being directed at them is abnormally heavy. Until recently, the President and the entire government were busy bashing Starbucks, and now the Minister of Education and politicians are all joining in to conduct a witch hunt against these students."

He emphasized, "Is the intention to hold the future of children who have sweated and bled their whole lives hostage just to catch one slip of the tongue?" adding, "A 'true education' on the ugly, establishment-driven political landscape, which defines anyone not on 'my side' as an enemy and hunts them down, is far more urgent."

Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok wrote on Facebook, "Not long ago, I saw an arrogant Seoul mayoral candidate who beat up his seniors, beat up police, and beat up citizens who tried to stop him, all while using the May 18th Uprising as an excuse. Now, I see the President pushing someone who celebrated the May 18th eve with such vibrant energy at a 'New Millennium NHK' as the party leader," adding, "Perhaps such sights are what made the May 18th Uprising seem trivial to these students."

He continued, "If it is only the Pai Chai High School students, who grew up watching such distorted figures, who are being treated with excessive harshness, then that is also not just," and stated, "The six-month suspension must be withdrawn."

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon also posted on Facebook, saying, "A six-month suspension for young students is excessive," and added, "Broadcaster Choi Wook, who said on air that they should be 'bulldozed by tanks,' only apologized and continues to appear on broadcasts, and Starbucks was not shut down either."