Key Points:
- South Korea will pause all flights for 35 minutes during the South Korean college exam to ensure a quiet environment.
- Government, military, and local authorities coordinate nationwide to minimize distractions for students.
- Public transport, traffic, and stock exchange operations are adjusted to support test-takers.
Military and civilian air traffic across South Korea will come to a temporary halt on Thursday afternoon to ensure a quiet environment for students taking the English listening section of the South Korean college exam, the nation’s most important college entrance exam.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that all flights will be suspended from 1:05 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. during the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) — a nationwide exam that plays a decisive role in university admissions. The pause will apply to both domestic and international flights, affecting a total of 140 scheduled departures and arrivals. Only emergency flights will be permitted during this period, while aircraft already in the air must maintain an altitude of at least 1.5 miles until the restriction is lifted.
Nationwide Coordination for a Seamless Exam
The South Korean college exam, often described as one of the most intense and high-stakes academic tests in the world, requires nationwide coordination each year. Government ministries, local authorities, and even the military take part in ensuring that the environment remains distraction-free for nearly half a million students who sit for the exam annually.
Joo Jong-wan, the director general for aviation policy at the ministry, urged travelers to check flight schedules in advance and comply with the temporary noise restrictions. “For those flying on the CSAT day, please make sure to check your departure time and cooperate with the noise restrictions,” he said in the ministry’s statement.
This annual adjustment reflects South Korea’s collective focus on education, with the South Korean college exam seen as a defining event that influences future academic and career paths.
Military and Civil Adjustments for the Exam
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that military aircraft, including those operated by U.S. Forces Korea, will also remain grounded during the 35-minute period, continuing a long-standing tradition of supporting the national exam day.
Routine military operations and training exercises are being rescheduled to minimize disruptions near testing sites. To ease morning congestion, service members are allowed to report to duty later than usual, while parents of test-takers are granted the day off.
These adjustments highlight the widespread effort to maintain a calm atmosphere across the country — one that allows students to concentrate fully during the crucial listening section.
Broader Measures to Support Students
Beyond air traffic controls, several public services are being modified nationwide to help students arrive at test centers on time. Subway systems will operate expanded schedules, additional buses and shuttles will be deployed, and traffic controls will be implemented near exam venues.
The Korea Herald reported that the Korean stock exchanges will open later than usual to reduce morning traffic and ensure smoother commutes. The measures, taken together, reflect South Korea’s cultural respect for academic achievement and the significance of the South Korean college exam in shaping students’ futures.
Across the nation, families, teachers, and communities are coming together to support test-takers on what is widely regarded as one of the most important days of their lives.