The top scorer in this year's South Korean tax accountant qualification exam admitted on Sunday that he used a miniature camera, a smartphone and generative artificial intelligence (AI) to cheat during both rounds of the test, saying he had turned himself in to police. This is the latest in a recent series of AI-assisted cheating cases in South Korea. Previously, candidates were caught using AI glasses to cheat in university entrance exams and middle school exams. The man's name has not been made public. His unusually high scores, which he released in a recent media interview, triggered suspicions of cheating in online communities, after which he made the admission on a lawyer's video channel. He also said he used the same cheating method in the certified public accountant exam.
The South Korean presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, said it is watching the developments "very seriously," especially with the nationwide university entrance exam scheduled for this Thursday. Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Kwang-hyun said at a press conference: "A response meeting led by the policy chief will be held this afternoon." The South Korean government had previously pledged "zero tolerance" for exam cheating involving AI glasses and has strengthened measures to detect high-tech devices at test sites.
According to reports, the man ranked first overall in this tax accountant qualification exam. In the first round in April this year, he got only one question wrong out of 160, scoring 397.5 out of a possible 400. In the second round in July, he scored 192 and 190 in the two accounting subjects, and 114 and 167 in the two tax law subjects. The man said on the video channel: "I used a miniature camera to photograph the exam questions, sent them to AI, and then checked the answers on a smartphone." He also said: "I have written all my actions into a self-surrender statement and submitted it to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency." Police said they had received the statement and promised a prompt and thorough investigation in accordance with procedures.
The South Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance said it plans to move quickly to suspend the validity of his qualification certificate. Under the law, anyone found cheating will have their exam results canceled and will be barred from taking the exam for five years from the date of the penalty decision. Depending on the police investigation, the man could also face criminal charges. The man apologized for his actions and said he deeply regretted them. He said: "I was not able to save much money in my previous job. After I quit, I started my own business, but it failed for various reasons, including high costs caused by the Russia war." He continued: "Restarting in my 30s, I felt helpless and did not know how long I would have to study. This fear of the unknown made me very anxious. I wanted to pass the exam, even by cheating, so that I could once again make my parents proud of me."
In October this year, two university candidates were caught using AI glasses to cheat in entrance exams at two universities in Seoul. According to data collected by the South Korean Ministry of Education from schools nationwide between October 27 and November 3, four cases involving AI glasses cheating were also reported in middle and high schools this year.
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