South Korea fell silent on Thursday with heavy trucks banned and businesses opening late as more than 600,000 students sat the annual college entrance exam, which could define their future in the ultra-competitive country. Success in the exam – which teenage South Koreans spend years preparing for – means a place in one of the elite colleges seen as key to a future career and even marriage prospects. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Women pray during a special service to wish their family members success in the college entrance exams at the Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea. Work at many construction sites was suspended and large trucks were banned from the roads near test venues. TV news channels showed nervous-looking students walking into the test venues after tearful hugs with parents, as hundreds of younger students cheered on their senior classmates.

Source: The Guardian November 17, 2016 04:18 UTC