Fire drills will be halted and jets banned from taking off or landing for at least 20 minutes each day during the English language listening tests. However, aircraft would be allowed to take off in emergency, the army said.

The exams, for middle and high school students, will be held between September 16 and 18 and September 23 and 25. South Korean authorities are also expected to reschedule rush hour to ease traffic during another crucial set of tests in November.

The parade ground rang to the shuffle of carpet slippers.

The heavy artillery felt particularly stupid.

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