The operation was allegedly orchestrated by a mastermind based in China.
Managed by South Korea's Ministry of Education, TOPIK is the only globally recognized official standardized assessment for the Korean language.
The exam is designed specifically for non-native speakers and draws over 550,000 candidates annually across more than 90 countries. A passing score is frequently required for university admissions, scholarships, visa extensions, and corporate employment within South Korea.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on July 21 a major crackdown on the network.
According to Yonhap News Agency, authorities arrested a Chinese broker living in South Korea who managed the on-the-ground operation, handling everything from exam registration to coordinating the cheating itself. The broker was reportedly sentenced to three years in prison last month.
