Suneung on 19 November 2026: shifted flights, offices from 10 am, what changes for you

On Thursday 19 November, 551,864 candidates sit the suneung. Take-offs and landings adjusted from 1:10 to 1:35 pm, more morning trains, cars kept 200 m from centres.

Updated 27 October 2026 · Dari team · 2 min read

Machine translation from French, being reviewed. Read the French version (reference)

Contents

The suneung in figures
Flights: take-offs and landings shifted from 1:10 to 1:35 pm
Morning: more trains, later office hours
Around exam centres
What this means for you
In Dari
Sources

_Traduction automatique / Machine translation_

On Thursday 19 November 2026, more than half a million candidates sit the suneung (수능), Korea's university entrance exam. The whole country adapts that day: take-offs and landings shifted for 25 minutes, offices opening later, streets closed around exam centres. If you travel or live in Korea, here is what may change your day.

The suneung in figures

According to the Ministry of Education (korea.kr portal) and Korea JoongAng Daily, both on 20 October 2026:

551,864 registered candidates;
1,312 exam centres nationwide;
exams from 8:40 am to 5:45 pm.

It is a national moment: families, companies and public offices organise around it.

Flights: take-offs and landings shifted from 1:10 to 1:35 pm

During the English listening test, from 1:10 pm to 1:35 pm, take-off and landing times of planes and helicopters are adjusted so that no noise disturbs candidates. Noisy military drills (firing, tanks) are also suspended. The ministry, Korea JoongAng Daily and SBS Biz all confirm this. The number of flights affected has not been published yet.

If you have a flight that day, especially in the early afternoon, your schedule may have been moved. Check your booking and your airline's messages a few days before.

Morning: more trains, later office hours

Public offices and companies are asked to start work after 10 am. It is a request, not an obligation.
The Seoul-area subway runs more trains from 6 am to 8:10 am for candidates.
Possible result: part of the rush hour shifts to 9-10 am. If you can, travel before or after.

Around exam centres

Cars cannot come within 200 m of exam centres (Ministry of Education, SBS Biz). Many centres are high schools in the middle of the city.
Near schools, keep quiet: no honking, no loud music, especially during the English test.
In the morning you may see families and students cheering candidates at the school gates. It is a tradition; keep a low profile.

What this means for you

You fly on 19 November: check your time. A flight planned between 1 pm and 2 pm may leave or land earlier or later.
You take a taxi in the morning: if your route passes a high school, expect a detour because of the 200 m zone. Leave extra time.
You have an appointment at a public office (immigration office, bank, district office): call first, morning hours may be shifted.
You live near a high school: avoid noisy work and loud deliveries during the day.
You see a lost or late candidate: you can point them to a police officer. Police and public vehicles are on standby to drive late candidates.