South Korea on edge as top tax exam scorer admits cheating with generative AI
Han, who ranked first in both rounds of South Korea’s national tax accountant qualification exam in April and July, confessed on Sunday that he cheated with electronic devices and generative AI and that his top score was not the result of fair effort. He said he photographed questions with a microcamera, sent the images to an AI tool and checked the answers on a smartphone. His first-round mark of 397.5 out of 400 — one wrong answer among 160 questions — had already drawn accusations of cheating with smart glasses, which he initially denied. Speaking on camera in a face mask, he apologised on the YouTube channel of Attorney Lee Don-ho and said he had submitted a written confession to Seoul police through his lawyer. The Seoul metropolitan police agency confirmed it received the confession that morning and assigned investigators. The scandal has intensified anxiety in a country where standardised tests heavily shape careers, days before Thursday’s national college entrance exam. A senior presidential office official said the matter was viewed very seriously, that reports of possible cheating on the certified public accountant exam were concerning, and that the presidential chief of staff for policy would hold an emergency meeting. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook’s office said on Friday the government would prepare thoroughly so the college exam is conducted fairly and stably.
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