Gwangju Jeil High School () is a boys' high school in Gwangju, South Korea. It has 840 students in grades 10, 11, and 12.Keh, Andrew. "School Spirit May Be Metaphysical for South Korean Baseball Players," New York Times (Oct. 2, 2015). The school is considered to be one of the most prestigious high schools in Gwangu.

Historically, the school is known as the birthplace of the Gwangju Student Independence Movement, a series of protests in 1929 against the 1910–1945 Japanese rule of Korea.

The school is also known for its baseball team, and has won the Cheongryonggi championship multiple times.Baek Byung-yeul. "Home to Major League Baseball players - Gwangju Jeil High School," The Korea Times (August 13, 2015).Chang Hye-soo, Limb Jae-un. "Kia Tigers outfielder invigorated after last season’s slump, pay cut," Korea JoongAng Daily (April 25, 2005). A number of its alumni have gone on to play professional baseball in Korea, Japan, and the United States. One of the school's most famous graduates is Sun Dong-yol, considered one of the greatest pitchers in the history of Korean professional baseball. Another graduate, Lee Jong-beom, nicknamed "Son of the Wind," is widely considered one of the best five-tool players in Korean baseball history, and the best all-around KBO player of the 1990s.Yoo Jee-ho. "2nd-generation KBO star wants to see more sons of ex-players thrive," Yonhap News Agency (July 04, 2020). As of 2026, the school has produced four Major League Baseball players, tying them with Japan's PL Gakuen High School and Tohoku High School for the most by any school in Asia.

History Gwangju Public High School was established in 1920. The Gwangju Ilgo school baseball club was established in 1923.

In late October 1929, students from the school helped spark demonstrations against Japanese rule. The Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial, housed in a park on the school's campus, was built in 1954 to commemorate the student independence movement. The Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial History Museum was built in 1997; it was designated as the 26th Gwangju Metropolitan City Monument on April 30, 1999.

Kim Yong-un, a mathematician, philosopher, and critic of civilizations, taught math at the school in the 1950s.

Notable alumni Professional baseball players Byung-hyun Kim (1997) Hee-seop Choi (1998) Jae Weong Seo (1996) Jeong Ju-hu ( 2013) Jung-ho Kang ( 2005) Lee Jong-beom ( 1988) Lee Kang-chul ( 1984) Park Jae-hong ( 1991) Seo Geon-chang ( 2006) Sun Dong-yol (1981)

Other professions Kim Sang-gon (1968) — politician Noh Hyeong-ouk ( 1980) — activist and government official Sung Won Sohn (1962) — economist

References

External links Gwangju Jeil (Gwangju, South Korea) Baseball Players, Baseball-Reference.com