A South Korean candidate who topped the country’s certified tax accountancy examination has admitted cheating using a miniature camera, smartphone and artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
Han Won-seok, 34, made the confession in a video published on Sunday on the YouTube channel of his lawyer, Lee Don-Ho.
Han scored an extraordinary 397.5 out of 400 points in the first round of the examination, answering 159 out of 160 questions correctly. His unusually high score had sparked suspicions and online speculation.
In his confession, Han admitted using electronic devices and generative AI during both rounds of the examination.
He explained that he used a miniature camera to photograph examination questions, sent the images to an AI system and checked the answers on his smartphone.
Han initially denied the cheating allegations but later decided to confess, saying he had considered the impact on the candidate who finished second.
He also apologised to other candidates who had passed the examination fairly.
Following his admission, South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labour and the Human Resources Development Service held an emergency meeting to discuss the incident.
Authorities announced that candidates found guilty of using AI to cheat would have their qualifications revoked and be banned from retaking the examination for five years.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency confirmed that it had received a written confession through Han’s lawyer and assigned the case to investigators.
Han reportedly said he cheated because he wanted to earn money and secure a job that would make his parents proud.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the growing use of AI-powered devices to cheat in South Korea’s highly competitive examinations. (Newswire)