South Korean police probes top exam scorer after AI cheating confession

South Korean police have initiated an investigation into the top scorer of a national tax accountant exam who allegedly cheated using artificial intelligence, according to a report on Sunday. The test taker, who achieved perfect scores in both rounds of the exam held in April and July, confessed to using AI during the tests in a written statement through his lawyer.

The candidate, who scored 397.5 out of 400 points in the first round, denied any wrongdoing initially but later admitted to using smart glasses to capture exam questions and send them to AI for answers. He expressed deep regret over his actions in a YouTube video posted by his lawyer. The Ministry of Finance and Economy plans to suspend his qualification swiftly.

The candidate, who struggled financially after leaving his job and starting his own business, claimed he cheated to make money and avoid disappointing his parents. The exam, administered by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRDK), is crucial for university admissions and socio-economic prospects. Authorities have intensified efforts against cheating involving smart glasses, with an AI inspector detecting a test taker using such devices during a gas engineer certification exam last month.

The HRDK announced plans to file criminal complaints against students caught cheating in the national university entrance exam scheduled for November 19.