Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Forged IDs used in Korean exam cheating scheme
People take the Test of Proficiency in Korean at Konkuk University in Seoul in this file photo from Oct. 20, 2013. Korea Times file
By Lee Hae-rin
Several Chinese nationals were caught using forged alien registration cards (ARC) to take the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) on behalf of others, authorities said Monday, raising concerns about organized cheating in high-stakes language exams.
According to police, a Chinese woman in her 30s was arrested on July 13 at Soongsil University in Seoul’s Dongjak District after being found in possession of a counterfeit ARC during the 101st session of the TOPIK. The exam proctor grew suspicious while examining her identification and alerted authorities, who apprehended her at the scene.
Investigators later uncovered evidence on her smartphone indicating communication with an exam broker to facilitate the fraud. Authorities suspect she was paid to take the test on behalf of another individual.
Administered by the National Institute for International Education under the Ministry of Education, the TOPIK is designed to assess and certify Korean language abilities for non-native speakers, mostly foreign nationals seeking to enter universities, get a job or secure long-term visas in Korea.
Similar incidents occurred the same day at Hansung and Inje Universities, where other Chinese nationals were also caught attempting to take the exam using forged ARCs.
Police noted that the fake IDs presented by the suspects all appeared to have been issued at the same regional immigration office on the same dates, raising suspicion of a coordinated effort.
Authorities are expanding their investigation to determine whether the cheating operation is run by a larger organization or network specializing in test fraud.
The Ministry of Education urged test administrators nationwide to strengthen ID checks and called for vigilance to protect the credibility of the TOPIK system.