Yonsei University considers criminal complaint against student caught wearing AI glasses during admissions exam

Yonsei University said Thursday it is considering filing a criminal complaint against a student caught wearing AI-enabled smart glasses during a written admissions exam.

"We will apply a zero-tolerance principle and respond strictly to any conduct that undermines the fairness and integrity of our admissions process," the university said.

Cheating in private university entrance examinations can be punishable under the Criminal Act as interference with business operations.

The student, identified only as A, was caught wearing smart glasses during a mathematics essay exam for the natural sciences and integrated track at Yonsei University's Sinchon Campus in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 10.

An exam proctor noticed that the student's glasses looked different from ordinary eyewear and alerted exam headquarters, which then confiscated the glasses.

The student admitted to wearing the smart glasses.

According to the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, smart glasses are prohibited from College Scholastic Ability Test venues under exam management regulations.

If a student fails to submit wireless devices, including smart glasses, before the first session begins and is found wearing them during the exam, that sitting is invalidated and the student is barred from taking the exam the following year.

Yonsei University said it will apply the same rules to the student, disqualifying the student from its 2027 admissions essay exam and barring the student from applying through its 2028 early admissions process.