Controversy Sparked During Korea-Yonsei Baseball Broadcast
"An Opportunity for Cultural Reflection," Says Yonsei University
Korea University issued an official apology to Yonsei University regarding inappropriate remarks made during the baseball broadcast of the annual Korea-Yonsei Games (Yonko-Jeon) held last September, and Yonsei University accepted the apology on the 29th.
On the 24th, Korea University released a statement of apology, saying, "We sincerely apologize to the Yonsei University baseball team and related personnel who may have felt hurt and discomfort due to inappropriate comments made by a guest commentator during the baseball broadcast. We also extend our deepest apologies to the members of Korea University who may have felt disappointed by this incident."
On September 19th, at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, students from Korea University (left) and Yonsei University (right) are watching and cheering during the '2025 Annual Korea-Yonsei Baseball Game.' Photo by Yonhap News
The statement continued, "We acknowledge that we did not make sufficient efforts to uphold the fundamental values of respect and consideration in communication and exchange. We take this moral responsibility very seriously." The university also emphasized, "We will immediately implement preventive measures, including strengthening the review process for all stages of broadcast production and expanding education for commentators and related staff."
The controversy arose from a baseball game broadcast on September 19th through the Korea University Broadcasting System (KUBS) YouTube channel. During the broadcast, a commentator made remarks about the Yonsei University team such as, "It seems like they didn't receive love from their parents," and, "They are inherently suspicious and dissatisfied, wondering if someone might do something to them or try to scam them. Why else would they have gone to Yonsei University?" These comments sparked significant backlash.
Meanwhile, Yonsei University, in accepting Korea University's apology, stated, "The annual games are more than just a competition; they are a long-standing tradition of friendship and cooperation. We will take this incident as an opportunity for both universities to reflect once again on the culture of the annual games that has continued for many years."
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