S. Korea's exams chief resigns after complaints of English test being too hard

The chief organiser of South Korea’s notoriously gruelling university entrance exams has resigned — after complaints that an English test he designed was just too difficult.

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South Korea’s college entry exam, known locally as the “Suneung”, is essential for admission to top universities and widely regarded as a gateway to social mobility, economic security and even a good marriage.

But in 2025, just over 3 per cent of exam-takers scored top marks in the English test - the lowest since absolute grading was introduced for the subject in 2018.

Students were given just 70 minutes to answer 45 questions.

One question singled out for criticism asked students to assess political philosophers Immanuel Kant and Thomas Hobbes and analyse their views on the rule of law.

Another asked students to consider the nature of time and clocks, while another probed how the idea of existence might apply to video game avatars.