Oldest Jeong Wolmyeong "Regret Not Studying in Childhood"
Youngest Son Yejun "Homeschooling Due to COVID-19 School Closures"
In the first Seoul regional qualification exam held this year, 84-year-old Jeong Wol-myeong, born in 1939, and 12-year-old Son Ye-jun, born in 2011, passed as the oldest and youngest high school graduates, respectively. Overcoming a 72-year age gap to become 'qualification exam peers,' Jeong and Son both cited 'English' as the most challenging subject and proudly received their certificates.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced the successful candidates for the 2024 first round of elementary, middle, and high school graduation qualification exams at 10 a.m. on the 9th. Out of 4,619 examinees, 4,180 passed, resulting in a pass rate of 90.5%. Among these, the high school qualification exam had the lowest pass rate at 89.3%, where Jeong and Son became the oldest and youngest successful candidates.
Jeong, who was born as the son of a farmer in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, said he was unable to study properly due to a poor childhood environment. In a phone interview with Asia Economy, Jeong said, "After running a promotional material production business and sending my children to university, I finally had time. Not being good at studying was a regret, so I started studying for the qualification exam."
Jeong passed the middle school qualification exam in 2022 and then passed the high school qualification exam two years later. This achievement was made through self-study rather than attending a 'cram school.' He purchased textbooks himself and utilized his experience as a self-employed person using a computer to supplement his learning by watching lectures on YouTube. He cited 'English' as the most difficult subject. He smiled and said, "Because of my age, I keep forgetting things," and "I keep forgetting English words, so it’s difficult." As a Christian practicing his faith, Jeong aims to study religious philosophy by enrolling in Korea National Open University or cyber universities.
Son Ye-jun, who entered the first grade of middle school this year, was motivated to take the high school qualification exam due to the impact of COVID-19. Son, who suffered from severe atopic dermatitis since childhood, found it difficult to attend school during the COVID-19 period because wearing masks worsened his atopy and allergies, leading him to homeschooling. Son’s mother explained, "He didn’t study specifically for the high school qualification exam from the start but progressed step by step," adding, "He concentrated on preparing for the qualification exam for about five months."
For Son, who was accustomed to studying by reading various books and thinking deeply, adapting to the 'format' of the qualification exam, which requires solving problems within a set time, was the most challenging. The most difficult subject was 'English,' just like Jeong. This was because, regardless of interest, it required simple memorization of vocabulary. Regarding future goals, Son’s mother said, "I don’t think a career path necessarily has to be connected to (university) admission, but it is one of many ways to realize what he wants to do," and added, "For now, rather than setting a clear goal, I hope (Son) gains diverse and sufficient experiences."
Meanwhile, in this year’s first qualification exam, the oldest passers of the elementary and middle school qualification exams were Park Jong-hee (86) and Lee Jae-sung (82), respectively. The youngest passers were Seo Ji-hyo (11) and Kim Seon-hyung (12).
Qualification exam certificates, transcripts, and subject pass certificates can be issued through Government24 using personal joint certificates or simple authentication after the announcement of successful candidates. They can also be issued at the administrative offices of elementary, middle, and high schools, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, and each education support office’s civil service center. Certificates will be distributed from the day of the announcement until the 10th, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., at the second-floor conference room of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education’s Health and Safety Promotion Center.
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