The cheer song echoed for the first time at the May 18 Gwangju Baseball Stadium.
On the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement, a breeze of change also blew through Gwangju-Kia Champions Field. Until now, on the anniversary of May 18, when the Gwangju home game was held, the audience was encouraged to quietly watch the game without cheering as a tribute to the victims. Starting this year, Gwangju City has decided to operate a cheer squad as it attempts a transformative shift to celebrate the May 18 democracy. The Tigers have consoled the citizens of Gwangju with their 12 championships.
The Kia team noted on the 18th, before the game against Doosan Bears at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, "We will raise a flag and observe a moment of silence to honor the victims of May 18. From this year, we will operate a cheer squad. We have agreed to commemorate the victims accordingly, while also ensuring a meaningful show of support with the cheer squad,".
Since the launch of professional baseball in 1982, there were no games held in Gwangju for 18 years until 1999. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) scheduled the Tigers to play away games on May 18. It was widely believed that pressure from authorities concerned about large protests at the baseball stadium influenced this decision. The first game in Gwangju was held on May 18, 2000, following the election of President Kim Dae-jung and the establishment of the People's Government.
The Kia team did not operate a cheer squad, including cheer songs, amplifiers, and cheerleading, even when the Gwangju game was held on May 18 to honor the victims. The atmosphere among the spectators was relatively calm. Now, on the 45th anniversary of the Democratic Movement, we decided to break away from the solemn atmosphere and join in a festival that elevates May 18 democracy.
Gwangju Metropolitan City stated in a press release, "In light of the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement, a change is necessary to transcend the pain of the times and integrate it into the daily lives and culture of citizens. We aim to transform into a May 18 democratic festival," adding that "the baseball stadium will also operate an opening pitch and cheer squad, including a cheer leader and cheer song, embodying the meaning of May."
Groups related to May also expressed their willingness to accommodate. Gwangju City mentioned, "In celebrating the 45th anniversary, we resonate with the need for change, such as operating a cheer squad during home games and holding special events to expand the spirit of May 18. This is in agreement with the need to transform from a solemn and heavy style of commemoration to that of a festival."
Actor Park Chul-min took the mound as the opening pitcher. He is from Gwangju and appeared as a taxi driver in the May 18 film 'A Heroic Vacation (2007).' The Kia Brisa was featured as the support vehicle for the opening pitch. It is the first rear-wheel-drive passenger car from Kia Industries, the predecessor of Kia Motors, and is well-known for participating in the protests led by taxi drivers during the May 18 Democratic Movement.
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