Korean language proficiency test draws record 16,000 applicants

About 16,000 foreign residents or non-native Korean speakers have applied to take the state-run Korean language proficiency test, officials said Thursday, a record number of applications for the test used in school admissions and job searches in Korea.

The 25th Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is scheduled to be held on Sunday in 14 different regions in Korea with 15,983 test-takers, the test's administrator National Institute for International Education said in a statement.

The TOPIK is offered four times a year, twice in South Korea and twice in 31 countries, for people preparing to work or study in Korea. (Yonhap)