A group of South Korean students has filed a lawsuit against the government following an incident during the Suneung exam, a crucial college admission test known for its difficulty.
According to Yahoo News, the lawsuit stems from an event where a teacher at Kyungdong High School in Seoul allegedly ended the first session of the exam 90 seconds early. This premature conclusion of the exam, according to the students, significantly impacted their performance.
The Suneung, an abbreviation for the College Scholastic Ability Test in Korean, is a rigorous set of exams spanning eight hours, determining university placements, job prospects, and even social standing.
The importance of this exam is so profound that the entire nation takes it seriously, with businesses closing and parents praying for their children's success.
However, the tranquility of this year's Suneung was disrupted when a teacher reportedly rang the bell signaling the end of the test prematurely. Authorities noted that the teacher accidentally set off the alarm early.
Attempts to rectify the situation by returning the test papers to students during their lunch break were met with restrictions, as students were only allowed to add to blank columns and not revise previous answers.
The law firm Myungjin, representing the students, argues that the 90-second error adversely affected the rest of the exams. Some students were reportedly so distraught by the incident that they abandoned the remaining tests and went home.
The students are now seeking 20 million won (approximately $15,377) each, equivalent to the cost of a year's study to retake the exam.
This legal action highlights the intense pressure and high stakes associated with academic testing in South Korea, reflecting the broader cultural emphasis on educational achievement and its impact on students' futures.
