Seoul: Rush hour was rescheduled, aircraft landings were delayed and even the stock market opened late as more than half a million South Korean children sat a crucial examination today.
Parents could be seen praying outside schools where their kids were taking the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), a decisive factor in determining future careers.
At Incheon city near Seoul younger students and graduates lined up outside a high school, cheering on test applicants and handing them cups of coffee and tea before their ordeal.
Military training exercises nationwide were suspended and military aircraft grounded to avoid noise during audio foreign language tests, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff told AFP.
Seven inbound flights to the country's main airport Incheon were told to stay at an altitude of 10,000 feet as students took the first audio test that lasted 13 minutes.
"We have been forewarning all airlines about the restriction over the past month so that they may adjust flight schedules to avoid landing during the hearing test sessions," an air traffic controller said.
The stock market, government agencies and many private firms opened one hour later to ease morning traffic jams that could cause students to be late.
At the presidential Blue House First Lady Kim Yoon-Ok reportedly sent rice cakes to the children of Blue House employees who were due to take the exam.
Rice cakes, whose stickiness symbolises sticking to success, are a favourite lucky gift for CSAT day together with candies.
