Testing times: South Korean aspiring politicians sit written exam

Brainchild of young party leader, tests come ahead of key local elections

20220418 Lee Korea file

Lee Jun-seok, the 37-year-old leader of the People Power Party, has been the driving force behind a written exam to help decide the party's candidates for an upcoming vote.

YOSUKE ONCHI, Nikkei Seoul bureau chief

SEOUL -- The path to political glory has long been dotted with pitfalls and obstacles. Now candidates hoping to represent South Korea's soon-to-be ruling party in upcoming local elections must overcome a fresh hurdle: written examinations.

In a country famous for high-pressure, life-changing exams to get into the most prestigious universities and companies, the conservative People Power Party, which narrowly won the nation's presidential election in March, has also been turning to tests.

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