16,000 cops to ensure college entrance exam day goes smoothly

The National Police Agency said Monday it will mobilize around 16,000 police personnel for the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), or suneung, on Thursday to reduce noise, control traffic and ensure safety.

With police help, a test-taker arrives at the testing site at Yongsan High School in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on last year’s university entrance exam day, Nov. 17, 2022. [YONHAP]

The National Police Agency said Monday it will mobilize around 16,000 police personnel for the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), or suneung, on Thursday to reduce noise, control traffic and ensure safety.

Specifically, 1,282 officers nationwide will oversee the facilities storing questionnaires and answer sheets. Two officers will be deployed at each storage site, inspecting the facilities every two hours in coordination with local police.

Regarding distributing the exam papers and answer sheets, 5,165 officers will be involved. A patrol vehicle with two officers will escort the tests along each route.

Two police officers encourage test-takers arriving at their test site, Ulsan Girl's High School in Nam District, Ulsan on Nov. 17, 2022. [NEWS1]

At the test sites, usually high schools or middle schools, 2,634 officers will be deployed. From 6:30 a.m. to 8:10 a.m., when test-takers flock to the test venues, two officers will be at the main gate of each school. To prevent any unexpected hindrance or emergency, the police patrols will continue until the test ends.

The police will strictly control protesters around the test sites to protect those taking the tests from noise. Officers will also instruct drivers not to honk their horns and construction workers to minimize noise.

In addition, 6,427 officers will handle traffic control to allow test-takers to safely arrive at testing places on time. Traffic police and taxi drivers from volunteer associations will help ensure a smooth and silent traffic flow within 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) of test sites.

Lastly, 555 officers will be dispatched to the head office where the test makers are located and 110 officers to the grading office.

The agency will assign 108 officers to the printing plant.

BY KIM EUN-BIN, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]