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South Korea bans flights as 500,000 take crucial university admission test
Over 550,000 students took the exam amid a 35-minute nationwide flight ban to reduce noise during the English listening test, with 140 flights rescheduled, officials said.
- On Nov 13, 2025, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport banned all takeoffs and landings from 1:05 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. during the CSAT's English listening section as over 550,000 students took the test.
- The large turnout reflected a 2007 birth surge that filled exam halls, with the College Scholastic Ability Test seen as essential; `This exam has been a goal for nearly 20 years and also a new beginning`, Yeseon Kim said.
- The Transport Ministry imposed altitude and emergency-only rules as about 140 flights were rescheduled, aircraft in flight stayed above 3 kilometres, and military aircraft including U.S. Forces Korea were grounded.
- Police officers were deployed nationwide to help transport students and deliver lunch boxes, South Korean service members may report after 10 a.m., and parents of students are given the day off, the ministry said.
- Later this month, the 2026 college admission cycle will require universities to consider students' school violence records, marking a policy shift from prior recommendations.
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South Korea bans flights as 500,000 take crucial university admission test
More than half a million people in South Korea sat for the country's gruelling university entrance exam on Thursday as police mobilised to ensure they made it to the test sites on time and all flights were halted for half an hour.
·United Kingdom
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South Korea celebrates university entrance exams this Thursday, and as it is already tradition not to deconcentrate students, several flights will be suspended, the bag opened an hour later and parents come to pray for good results.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources24
Leaning Left3Leaning Right5Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Center
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center
L 21%
C 43%
R 36%
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