South Korean Education Ministry addresses AI cheating and system failures

During a National Assembly audit, South Korea’s Ministry of Education addressed critical issues regarding university admissions. Minister Choi Kyo-jin identified technical compatibility issues and inadequate pre-testing by private contractors as the primary causes of recent failures in the rolling admissions application system.

To prevent recurrence during the upcoming regular admissions period, the Ministry plans to improve how competition rates are disclosed and introduce a new student identification numbering system to ensure fairness. The government is also considering transitioning the application system toward a more public management model to enhance oversight of private agencies.

Additionally, the audit focused on preventing cheating via AI-enabled smart glasses, following recent incidents at universities such as Yonsei and University of Seoul. The Ministry has issued guidelines for exam supervisors to identify suspicious eyewear, while teacher organizations have called for clearer identification standards and better protection for proctors facing potential disputes.