Kim In-ho, Chair of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Urges Thorough Quarantine for Safe Suneung Exam

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim In-ho, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party, Dongdaemun 3), urged the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to thoroughly implement quarantine measures for test-takers to ensure the safe administration of the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) held on December 3.

The 2021 CSAT will be conducted at 249 test sites across Seoul, with approximately 106,000 test-takers expected to participate.

Although the number of test-takers has decreased compared to last year, the number of test sites has increased by 41 due to the establishment of separate test sites at places such as Seoul Medical Center and Namsan Youth Hostel Living Treatment Center.

This year, separate test sites such as hospital test centers are being established and operated to guarantee testing opportunities for COVID-19 confirmed patients, self-quarantined individuals, and symptomatic test-takers.

Approximately 24,000 proctors will participate at all test sites.

In addition to the measures for establishing and operating separate test sites, Seoul announced that mobile screening clinics will be set up on December 4 and 5, immediately after the CSAT, to conduct preemptive testing for CSAT proctors.

Despite the impossibility of completely eliminating the risk of infection, free diagnostic testing will be provided to all teachers who voluntarily volunteered as proctors.

Furthermore, on the day of the CSAT, the supply of public transportation in Seoul will be significantly increased. Subway, city buses, and village buses will all operate with minimized intervals during the morning hours to expand service.

Call taxis for transportation-vulnerable test-takers and vehicles to transport test-takers in case of emergencies will also be supported.

Chairman Kim In-ho emphasized, “As the spread of COVID-19 is increasing again and the social distancing level 2 measures are maintained, I urge the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to make every effort to ensure that the 2021 CSAT is conducted safely and without disruption.” He added, “I hope that they will actively manage quarantine with sufficient capacity in establishing and operating separate test sites so that no students who are newly confirmed or placed under self-quarantine until the exam day suffer any disadvantages.”

He also said, “I extend words of comfort and encouragement to the test-takers and parents who have struggled to prepare for the exam amid unexpected crises this year.” He stated, “The Seoul Metropolitan Council will closely cooperate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the 25 autonomous districts, and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to participate in all necessary measures for a safe CSAT.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.