Seoul vows crackdown on smart glasses cheating

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• LG Electronics' Smart Cottage CEO: Homes Will Evolve Like Appliances Homes are evolving from mere spaces for sleeping and living into products in their own right. Just as smartphones have transformed daily life and cars have redefined mobility, housing can also take on new roles through technology. This shift is why LG Electronics is expanding its business beyond appliance manufacturing into residential spaces.In an interview with Aju Economy on November 10, Jo Yeon-woo, CEO of LG Electronics' Smart Cottage Company, stated, "While cars and robots are rapidly advancing, the architectural spaces connecting them are not keeping pace with the times. Smart Cottage represents a new opportunity to expand our business into spatial design."Smart Cottage refers to homes constructed from factory-made modules that are assembled on-site. These homes integrate LG's appliance and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technologies. Jo explained, "A cottage is not just a small rural house; it can be a personal space. If a place is where people work, communicate, and relax, then a building can also be considered a cottage."Jo is not an architect but an industrial design expert. He studied industrial design at Seoul National University and has worked on design strategy and user experience at companies like KT, K-Bank, and Coway. His initial project at LG Electronics focused on combining the '5 days in the city, 2 days in the countryside' lifestyle with energy technology. Jo noted, "Connecting the value of seemingly unrelated technologies is my strength," recalling that in the early stages of the business, they prioritized building homes to demonstrate their concept rather than just explaining it.He highlighted the uncertainty involved in the process of acquiring single-family homes. Unlike apartments, purchasing land and selecting construction companies requires managing electrical and plumbing connections and obtaining permits. LG Electronics aims to provide transparent product pricing and guidance on installation feasibility and estimated costs through site assessments.Post-construction management is also a differentiating factor. Jo emphasized, "When there is a leak in the house, we need to determine whether it's a refrigerator issue or a building problem. We must reduce the management burden on customers." This reflects LG's intention to extend its appliance service capabilities into residential spaces. He stated, "While there are many competitors in home construction, we are confident in managing homes."Jo's vision for the future extends beyond single-family homes. He aims to expand spatial management technology to corporate training centers and lodging facilities, as well as long-term plans for buildings and apartments. He remarked, "We are considering how to utilize the entire space, not just limiting ourselves to appliances or lighting, and I believe new business opportunities will emerge within that framework."* This article has been translated by AI.
• Wearing Smart Glasses Could Disqualify Students from 2027 College Entrance Exam Students wearing smart glasses equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) during the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) on November 19 will face immediate disqualification from the exam and lose eligibility for the following year's test. The Education Ministry has announced a strict policy that includes criminal penalties for planned and deliberate cheating using smart glasses.On November 9, the Education Ministry released guidelines for the 2027 CSAT, highlighting significant changes compared to the previous year. These changes include new regulations targeting smart glasses, the introduction of an official scoring sheet on the back of the exam ticket, and the allowance for students to bring their own black pens for writing.The most notable change is the stringent guidelines regarding smart glasses. Following a nationwide investigation that uncovered four instances of cheating using AI smart glasses in school evaluations, the Education Ministry has prioritized the prohibition of these devices in exam venues and established specific penalties.Specifically, wearing smart glasses, regardless of whether they are functioning during the exam, will be considered as having used them. If caught, students will have their current exam invalidated and will be barred from taking the 2028 CSAT. Simply possessing smart glasses in a bag will also result in disqualification.New powers have been granted to exam supervisors, who can request to inspect students' glasses to check for smart glasses. If a student refuses to comply, they may face disqualification from the current exam and lose eligibility for the following year.Moreover, if a student engages in planned and deliberate cheating using smart glasses, the ministry plans to pursue criminal charges, which could lead to imprisonment, as seen in past cases involving organized cheating with mobile phones.Changes have also been made to improve student convenience regarding answer sheets and scoring regulations. Previously, students would hastily write notes on the back of their exam tickets or on separate sheets. Starting this year, an official scoring sheet format will be printed on the back of the exam ticket.However, students must complete the scoring sheet before the end of each exam session. If they are caught writing on the scoring sheet after the end bell has rung, it will be treated as cheating.Additionally, while black pens for writing answers will still be distributed in the exam room, students are now officially allowed to use their own black pens to enhance convenience.Students must adhere strictly to the rules regarding prohibited items and exam procedures. They are required to attend a preliminary meeting on November 18 to receive their exam tickets and confirm their subject choices and exam locations. On the exam day, they must bring their exam ticket and a valid photo ID (mobile IDs are not accepted) and enter the exam room by 8:10 AM.All electronic devices, including mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, Bluetooth earphones, electronic cigarettes, power banks, and any device with an electronic display, are prohibited in the exam room. Only pure analog watches with hour and minute hands are allowed, while medical items such as hearing aids, magnifying glasses, and continuous glucose monitors must be inspected by supervisors before each session. If students must bring electronic devices, they must submit them to the supervisor before the start of the first session.Failure to participate in the mandatory fourth session on Korean history will result in the invalidation of the entire CSAT score. In the subsequent social and science inquiry sections, students must place only the question papers for their chosen subjects on their desks and cannot write or modify answers for the first subject during the second subject's time. Doing so will be immediately classified as cheating.Education Minister Lee Joo-ho urged students to familiarize themselves with the guidelines to avoid any issues that could undermine their hard work. He emphasized the ministry's commitment to ensuring that students can perform to the best of their abilities in a stable environment.* This article has been translated by AI.
• Anyang's Smart Surveillance Aids in Locating Missing Elderly with Dementia Anyang's smart surveillance technology played a crucial role in locating a missing elderly person with dementia. According to the city on November 9, a 78-year-old man, referred to as A, did not return home after attending a training session at the Dongwon Dementia Safety Center in Dongan-gu on November 3. When family members were unable to reach him, they reported him missing to the police at 12:47 PM. The Anyang Dongan Police Station began searching the area around his residence and reviewed nearby security camera footage. The police shared the obtained movement route and physical description with the Anyang Smart City Integrated Center. Using the AIID system, developed by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), the city confirmed that A had moved toward the Hogye-dong area. Based on this information, the police conducted a focused search and found A approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes after the report, safely returning him to his family. This incident is seen as an example of how the collaboration between police response and local government smart surveillance systems can enhance the efficiency of missing person searches. The AIID system analyzes CCTV footage to track the movements of missing persons and to identify citizens in potentially dangerous situations early. The city has recently strengthened CCTV monitoring in densely populated areas and has proactively responded to public safety concerns, including requesting police intervention for individuals exhibiting unusual behavior on October 19. A city official urged, "In the event of a missing elderly person with dementia, please report immediately to 112 and provide recent photos, clothing descriptions, and the last known location and time."* This article has been translated by AI.