A top scorer on South Korea’s national exam for aspiring tax accountants has confessed to using generative AI to cheat. The candidate, identified by the surname Han, admitted to the deception on Sunday, November 15, 2026, through his lawyer and on a YouTube channel.
Han stated he used a microcamera to photograph exam questions, sent them to an AI tool, and then checked the answers on a smartphone. He achieved near-perfect scores in two rounds of the qualification exam held in April and July, including 397.5 out of 400 points in the first round.
The confession follows months of speculation regarding his high marks and has prompted a police investigation after a written confession was submitted to Seoul police. The scandal has raised concerns in South Korea, particularly as the country's annual national college entrance exam is scheduled for this Thursday.
A senior presidential office official stated on Sunday that the matter is viewed very seriously, and countermeasures are being prepared for the upcoming college entrance exam. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook acknowledged public concerns over AI-assisted cheating on Friday, stating the government would ensure the college entrance exam is conducted fairly.