A Chinese student faces a two-year ban after authorities discovered leaked keywords during the TOPIK Korean language proficiency exam on January 12. Officials from the National Institute for International Education confirmed the incident, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat cheating among foreign test-takers.
Details of the Cheating Incident
The student acquired exam keywords through social media platforms popular in China and attempted to use them inside the test center. Despite altering their appearance with a disguise, police investigations led to their identification and capture.
Rising Popularity and Cheating Risks
As interest in learning Korean grows globally, TOPIK participation has surged. Chinese applicants now represent over 12% of total test-takers, with approximately 700,000 out of 5,666,665 participants in the latest session originating from China. This boom has fueled active broker networks selling leaked materials.
Institute’s Response and Security Measures
The institute monitored suspicious social media activity centered on Chinese platforms, identifying patterns like ‘mass fake test-takers’ and ‘threatening students for refunds.’ It promptly reported findings to police and issued warnings through domestic channels, even when broker identities were incomplete.
Officials plan additional safeguards for result inquiries to prevent future leaks and maintain exam integrity.
