15.11.2026 18:50
Han Won-seok, 34, who ranked first in South Korea's tax accountant exam with a score of 397.5 out of 400, admitted to cheating using a miniature camera, a mobile phone, and artificial intelligence. The candidate, whose near-perfect score raised suspicions, explained that he photographed the questions, sent them to AI, and checked the answers on his phone.
The cheating scandal in South Korea's tax accountant exam has become a national issue. Han Won-seok, 34, who ranked first in the exam, admitted to cheating using electronic devices and generative AI. According to BBC, Han shared his confession with the public through a video published on his lawyer Lee Don-Ho's YouTube channel. He also stated that he made a written confession to the Seoul Police Department and described his cheating method in detail.
HE SCORED 397.5 OUT OF 400
In the first stage of the exam, Han Won-seok scored 397.5 out of 400, answering only one of 160 questions incorrectly. The nearly flawless result raised suspicions after the exam and sparked debate on social media.
Han, who initially denied the cheating allegations against him, later admitted that he used electronic devices and AI in both stages of the exam.
HE SENT THE QUESTIONS TO AI WITH A TINY CAMERA
Explaining his cheating method, Han said he photographed the exam questions with a miniature camera on him, sent the images to AI, and checked the answers on his smartphone.
Han used the following statements in the video:
“I cheated using electronic devices and generative AI in both the first and second stages of the tax accountant exam. I photographed the questions with a micro camera and sent them to AI, then checked the answers on my smartphone.”
“I APOLOGIZE TO THE OTHER SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES”
Han, who initially denied the accusations, said he decided to confess after considering the situation and feelings of the candidate who ranked second in the exam.
Apologizing to the other candidates who passed the exam honestly, Han said, “It seems the other successful candidates are also being viewed with suspicion because of me.”
Also explaining his reason for cheating, Han claimed he did it to earn money and find a job that would make his family proud again.
5-YEAR EXAM BAN FOR THOSE WHO CHEAT WITH AI
After the confession, South Korea's Ministry of Labor and the Human Resources Development Agency held an urgent meeting. The government announced that the qualifications of candidates determined to have cheated using AI in the exam will be revoked and that these people will be banned from participating in exams for five years.
Presidential policy official Ha Jun-kyung also said new measures would be taken and that past violations would be pursued to the end.
POLICE LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION
Seoul police confirmed that Han's confession was delivered to them through his lawyer. It was reported that the file was handed over to investigation units.
The scandal emerged days before the university entrance exam, which is held annually in South Korea and is of great importance nationwide. Last month, it was determined that two university candidates tried to cheat using AI-powered glasses in the exams of two universities in Seoul.