On a Thursday in mid-November, South Korea takes extraordinary measures to support students taking the Suneung, the national college entrance exam. This includes grounding all commercial aircraft during the English listening section of the test.
The Suneung, officially known as the College Scholastic Ability Test, is a pivotal moment for high school students across the country. To minimize distractions, military drills are also suspended for the day.
In addition to halting flights, the stock market opens an hour late, allowing students to concentrate fully on their exam without the usual hustle and bustle of daily life.
To further assist students, police offer free rides to those who may be running late, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to arrive on time and perform their best.