2023 College Scholastic Ability Test Begins, Warm Support Amid Calm Atmosphere

"Good luck on your exam today" Only a few teachers came out to hug, thumbs up, and encourage with their eyes

Parents saw off their children with earnest prayers... some with teary eyes

On the morning of the 17th, the day of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test, a parent is seen holding their son's hand and cheering in front of Gwangju Geumho Jungang Girls' High School, the 32nd test site in the 26th district of the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] On the morning of the 17th, the day of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test, held for the third time since COVID-19, at Gwangju Geumho Jungang Girls' High School, the 32nd test site of the 26th district of the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education.

Instead of the noisy cheering typical of each school, a quiet cheering event took place in a calm atmosphere.

The whistle sounds from the police controlling traffic and the voices of school officials guiding were distinctly audible due to the quietness.

Four to five teachers holding hand signs stood in front of the main gate and immediately ran out to hug and pat the shoulders of their students as soon as they saw them.

The students seemed to feel the warmth of their teachers and stayed embraced for a while.

One teacher, upon seeing a student walking in, called out their name and quickly ran over, jokingly saying, "You were going to pretend not to know me, right?" After a brief greeting, the teacher gave a thumbs-up pose to boost the student's confidence.

As time passed, the two-lane road leading into the school became crowded with parents' vehicles carrying examinees. They seemed to briefly stop to drop off their children and leave immediately, but then stopped again, rolling down the windows to watch their sons' and daughters' backs.

Parent Jeong Jeong-ha (48, female) prayed with her hands clasped, unable to leave until her child's back disappeared. Whether due to the weather or desperation, her hands trembled, her expression was desperate, and her eyes were red.

Another parent, Park (43, female), after a brief greeting with her son, pressed her body close to the iron gate and kept her gaze fixed on her son's back for a long time.

She said, "My daughter went to the emergency room the night before due to vertigo, so I'm worried because her condition isn't good. I hope my son can perform well and complete the exam safely."

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