South Korea to Prosecute Smart Glass Exam Cheats

South Korea plans to file criminal charges against students who use smart glasses to cheat on the Suneung, the national university entrance examination.

Education Ministry official Lee Joon-hyuk confirmed on Friday that authorities will also extend examination bans from one to three years for offenders.

These stricter measures follow recent incidents where universities in Seoul caught three students wearing or carrying smart glasses during essay examinations.

Global concerns over smart glasses are growing as sales rise, driven by privacy issues and digital cheating risks.

The high-stakes Suneung examination determines access to top universities, future economic security, and social status.

To combat high-tech cheating during upcoming tests, the education ministry will assign designated staff members to every examination centre to spot suspicious eyewear.

Since amending the law takes time, the tougher criminal charges and three-year bans are expected to take effect next year rather than during next month’s examination.

South Korea treats the Suneung with extreme seriousness, even grounding flights during listening tests and shifting work hours to ease traffic.

However, experts warn that the intense pressure built into this competitive system continues to drive high rates of teenage depression and suicide.