标签： Asia

Every November, South Korea halts its usual pace for the Suneung, the nation’s rigorous college entrance exam. While most students complete the test by late afternoon, blind students often endure a grueling 13-hour marathon, finishing close to 10 p.m. This year, over 550,000 students are taking the Suneung, marking the highest number of applicants in seven years. Among them are 111 blind test-takers, including Han Dong-hyun and Oh Jeong-won from Seoul Hanbit School for the Blind. The Suneung, short for College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), is a pivotal moment in South Korean education, determining university admissions, job prospects, and even future relationships. For most students, the exam spans eight hours, covering subjects like Korean, mathematics, English, and social or natural sciences. However, blind students are granted 1.7 times the standard duration, extending their test day significantly. The physical demands of reading braille, coupled with the lack of dinner breaks, make the exam particularly exhausting. Braille test booklets are six to nine times thicker than standard ones, as every sentence, symbol, and diagram must be converted into tactile form. Additionally, blind students face challenges in accessing study materials, often receiving braille versions of state-produced EBS preparation books months later than their sighted peers. Despite these hurdles, students like Dong-hyun and Jeong-won remain determined. Dong-hyun, who was born completely blind, uses braille and screen-reading software to navigate the exam. He finds the Korean language section particularly challenging due to the extensive braille pages. Jeong-won, on the other hand, struggles with the late afternoon fatigue, as the exam continues without a dinner break. Both students emphasize the importance of perseverance, viewing the Suneung as a test of their resilience. Their teacher, Kang Seok-ju, praises their endurance, noting the physical toll of reading braille for hours. While the Suneung is a high-stakes exam, Mr. Kang reminds his students that it is not the sole measure of their worth. For these blind students, the Suneung is not just an academic challenge—it is a testament to their years of hard work and determination.

The 15th National Games, currently underway, is not only a prestigious platform for athletes to compete for gold medals but also a celebration of the rich culinary heritage of Guangdong province, Hong Kong, and Macao. The event has become a gastronomic journey for thousands of spectators and journalists alike. At the main press center in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, organizers have curated a diverse menu featuring iconic dishes from across the province. Highlights include shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls, braised goose, and beef balls, showcasing the region’s culinary expertise. Since November 9, 21 cities in Guangdong have taken turns hosting food-themed days at the press center’s restaurant, presenting a total of 168 specialty dishes. During Shantou’s themed day, dishes like braised goose and beef balls left both domestic and international journalists impressed by the city’s unique rice noodle preparations. This edition of the National Games, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao for the first time, has drawn over 3,200 registered journalists from media outlets worldwide, further amplifying the cultural and culinary exchange.

In a notable legal case in Michigan, Yunqing Jian, a Chinese scientist, pleaded guilty to smuggling biological materials but avoided additional jail time beyond the five months she had already served. Jian, a 33-year-old temporary researcher at a University of Michigan lab, was arrested in June for conspiring with her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, to study and cultivate a toxic fungus known as Fusarium graminearum, which can damage crops like wheat, barley, maize, and rice. Liu was apprehended at a Detroit airport in 2024 carrying small samples of the pathogen. Both Jian and Liu had specialized in studying this fungus in China, where it is widely found in U.S. fields under certain weather and growing conditions. However, importing such biological materials into the U.S. without a government permit is illegal, and the university lacked the necessary authorization. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Martin highlighted the potential for ‘devastating harm,’ though he admitted there was no evidence of malicious intent. Roger Innes, an expert from the University of Indiana, reviewed the evidence and concluded there was no risk to U.S. farmers or any intent to create a more dangerous strain. Jian was sentenced to five months in jail, time she had already served, and will be deported. She apologized in court, stating her actions were driven by research pressure rather than harmful intent. The conspiracy charge against her was dropped in exchange for her guilty plea to smuggling and making false statements. Liu, also charged, remains in China and is unlikely to return to the U.S. Jian had previously conducted research at Zhejiang University in China and had been working in Michigan since summer 2023.