http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/05/korea.driving.license/index.html

One could say she has the determination ... but lacks the drive.

A 68-year-old South Korean woman this week signed up to take her driving test once again—after failing to earn a license the first 771 times.

The woman, identified only as Cha, first took the written portion of the exam in April 2005, said Choi Young-cheol of the Driver’s License Agency in the southwestern city of Jeonju.

At the time, she made her living selling goods door-to-door and figured she would need a car to help her get around, Choi told CNN.

She failed the test. She retook the test the next day and failed again. And again. And again.

“You have to get at least 60 points to pass the written part,” said Kim Rahn, who wrote about the unflappable woman in the Korea Times, an English-language daily. “She usually gets under 50.”

In the beginning, Cha went to the license office almost every day. Now, she no longer works but still turns up once a week, Choi said.

The office estimates she has spent more than 4 million won ($2,888) in exam fees.

Cha’s last failed attempt was Monday.

She tries for the 772nd time either Thursday or Friday.

You’d think after having taken the test so many times, she’d know what the answers are.

Folks like this don’t quite grasp that they have a deficit that limits them.  I knew a young man who was learning disabled and mentally challenged who wanted desperately to get into the military.  He also continued to take the tests.  These folks view this in nearly the same way that others view the lottery or a game of chance, not really a test of intellect or understanding - eventually they believe that if they play often enough, their chances of winning are better.

Very sad really.

If she’s given the wrong answers 771 times, would they even really want to give her a license if she does get enough of them right the 772nd time?

You know what they say, 772nd time is the charm.

I get the feeling that she considers writing the test along the lines of going to the movies.  Some form of entertainment that she ahs to pay for.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8347164.stm

Woman passes 950th driving test

A South Korean woman is celebrating after passing the written exam for a driving licence - on her 950th attempt.

After four years of trying, 68-year-old Cha Sa-soon finally managed to secure the 60 out of 100 points needed to pass the test.

The grandmother has spent more than 5m won ($4,200, £2,600) on application fees for the test.

Now Mrs Cha, who lives in Jeonju, 130 miles (210km) south of Seoul, must pass the practical test to get on the road.

‘Don’t give up’

According to the Korean Driver’s Licence Agency, the 50-minute written test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions on road regulations and car maintenance.

Mrs Cha had been trying to pass it since 13 April 2005, the Korea Times reported.

She wanted a licence so that she could use a vehicle to sell vegetables and other goods, the newspaper said.

And her determination to pass the test has made her well-known at the Jeonju centre.

“She is really famous here. Not only agency employees but even some test-takers know her. Her challenging spirit is really amazing,” one official was quoted as saying.

Speaking in February - after her 775th failure - Mrs Cha had appeared undaunted.

“I believe you can achieve your goal if you persistently pursue it,” she told Reuters news agency.

“So don’t give up your dream, like me. Be strong and do your best.”

And here’s a story with her picture in it.