South Korea to revise exam rules after smart glasses cheating incidents

South Korea is preparing to overhaul regulations for national technical qualification exams following several incidents of cheating involving AI-powered smart glasses. Between May and June, five candidates in cities including Seoul, Gwangju, Daegu, Mokpo, and Ulsan were caught using wearable technology to bypass exam security.

Specific methods included using glasses with embedded camera lenses, blue displays, and electronic sounds. In one instance in Gwangju, a candidate was charged with violating the National Technical Qualifications Act, marking the country’s first criminal case of this nature. Three of the five individuals involved have been referred to prosecutors.

The Labor Ministry intends to revise the enforcement rules under the National Technical Qualifications Act to address emerging technologies more effectively. Rather than updating rules for every specific new device, officials are considering broader, more flexible language to allow for quicker responses to technological advancements. The ministry aims to begin the public notice process in September and complete the revisions within the year.