South Korea has announced plans to file criminal complaints against students caught cheating on national university entrance exams using smart glasses.

The government will also toughen penalties for such offences, an education ministry official said on Friday.

The move comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of smart glasses, which can take photos, record videos and interact with artificial intelligence. Three students were recently caught wearing or possessing the devices during essay exams at universities in Seoul.

Under the proposed rules, students found cheating with smart glasses will be barred from retaking the exams for three years, up from the current one-year ban. However, the new measures are not expected to take effect in time for next month’s college entrance tests, known as the Suneung.

The education ministry also plans to assign designated staff at each examination centre to identify suspicious eyewear. Officials said the changes would be pushed for implementation from next year’s exams.

The Suneung is a high-stakes exam that determines entry into top universities and is widely seen as a pathway to economic security in South Korea’s highly competitive education system.