Using AI Smart Glasses To Cheat? South Korea Plans Criminal Charges Against Students, Three-Year Exam Ban

Education ministry plans to extend exam bans from one year to three and introduce stricter surveillance at examination centres ahead of future university entrance tests

South Korea will file criminal complaints against students caught cheating in examinations using smart glasses and introduce tougher penalties for their use, an education ministry official told AFP on Friday.

The proposed measures come amid growing concerns over the use of smart glasses, including their potential to facilitate exam fraud and record people without their consent.

Under the planned changes, students caught cheating with smart glasses will be barred from retaking examinations for three years, extending the existing one-year restriction.

Stricter Rules Likely From Next Year's Entrance Exam

Lee Joon-hyuk, an education ministry official, told AFP that the ministry would seek criminal charges against students caught using smart glasses to cheat.

However, the stricter rules are unlikely to come into force for next month's university entrance examinations.

“With only about 20 days left until the exam, it would be realistically difficult to amend the law before then. However, we plan to push for the changes to take effect from next year's exam,” Lee said.

The ministry announced additional measures on Thursday to prevent cheating through smart glasses. These include assigning a designated staff member at every examination centre to identify suspicious eyewear.

Three Students Caught With Smart Glasses

The move follows incidents in which three students were caught wearing or possessing smart glasses during essay examinations conducted by universities in Seoul.

The issue is also emerging at educational institutions elsewhere in the world. This summer, National Taiwan University in Taipei reportedly disqualified an entrance examination candidate for cheating with AI-powered smart glasses.

Suneung: South Korea's High-Stakes University Entrance Exam

South Korea's college entrance examination, known as the Suneung, is considered crucial for securing admission to leading universities. The gruelling test is widely viewed as a gateway to economic security and social standing.

The importance attached to the examination is reflected in the extraordinary arrangements made across the country on test day. A nationwide 35-minute flight ban is imposed during the English listening test, except in emergencies. Banks and public offices also ask employees to start work an hour later to reduce traffic and help students reach examination centres on time.

The intense pressure surrounding academic performance in South Korea's highly competitive education system has also been partly blamed for teenage depression and suicide rates that are among the highest in the world.