Yoo Eun-hye: "Please Stop All Social Gatherings Until the College Entrance Exam"

One Week Before Suneung, Nationwide Appeal
21 Confirmed Examinees Self-Isolating, 144 in Total
Preparing to Take Suneung at Separate Test Sites

On the 26th, one week before the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test, Yoo Eun-hye, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, announced a public appeal regarding the CSAT at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] On the 26th, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye appealed to "stop all routine social activities for one week starting today" to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) one week before the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).

At a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office that morning, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo announced a public appeal asking people to "cancel all meal appointments and year-end gatherings that are not for livelihood purposes and strictly follow daily quarantine rules." She especially urged families with test-takers to adhere to quarantine rules more thoroughly. She said, "Since November, infections among family members have accounted for 70% of student confirmed cases," and asked families with test-takers to practice social distancing even within the home.

This year’s CSAT test sites and rooms have increased by 50% compared to last year, with 1,381 test sites and a total of 31,459 test rooms, due to social distancing between separate test sites and rooms. Deputy Prime Minister Yoo stated, "There are a total of 144 self-quarantined test-takers assigned to separate test sites," and added, "Even if the number of self-quarantined test-takers increases, we are preparing a testing environment that can accommodate up to 3,800 examinees." She also said, "There are currently 21 confirmed test-takers who will take the exam at prepared hospital beds and residential treatment centers." The government has secured hospital beds that can accommodate up to 172 confirmed cases. However, the final number of examinees assigned to separate test sites on the exam day may vary depending on whether confirmed cases have recovered and the end of the self-quarantine period.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "Even if test subjects or confirmed cases occur the day before the CSAT, we plan to definitely provide the opportunity to take the exam," and added, "The government will concentrate all its capabilities to ensure that 490,000 test-takers take the exam in a safe environment."

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