South Korea probes top exam scorer after AI cheating confession

South Korea initiated a probe following a top-performing candidate's admission to using artificial intelligence for cheating in a national tax accountant exam. The individual, who topped both rounds of the qualification exam in April and July with a score of 397.5 out of 400 points, confessed through his lawyer about employing AI during the tests.

The candidate denied using smart glasses initially, but later acknowledged using a miniature camera to photograph exam questions and sending them to AI, while checking answers on his smartphone. He expressed deep regret, citing financial struggles and fear of disappointing his parents as motivations. His lawyer declined to disclose further details to avoid similar incidents.

The Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRDK) administers the exam and acknowledged two supervisors during the test. HRDK President Lee Byung-hoon apologized, and the agency plans to file a criminal complaint for obstruction of business. The presidential office, concerned about the highly competitive annual entrance test Suneung on November 19, vowed to investigate all suspected AI cheating cases in national qualification exams.

The government has intensified efforts against cheating involving smart glasses, and an AI inspector caught a test taker wearing such glasses during a gas engineer certification exam last month. The HRDK also announced plans to file criminal complaints against students caught using smart glasses in the national university entrance exam in October.