S. Korean police probe student cheats

South Korean police say about 100 students may have used cell phones to cheat on a college entrance exam last week, the Korea Times reported Sunday.

Arrest warrants are being pursued for at least seven high school seniors who played key roles in what is believed to be the nation's largest cheating scandal involving high school students.

"Initial investigations show the students purchased cell phones from a Seoul-based telecommunications company before taking the exam," one police officer said. "They gathered at a motel and practiced the cheating to get good scores."

Officials said students who excelled in certain subjects would sit for an exam and then send answers to students outside the classroom utilizing their cell phones' messaging capabilities. The students outside the classroom then relayed the answers to others.

Police are expanding their investigation after receiving tips that the same method of cheating was used in other school districts. Parents of some students knew of the scam, but failed to report it, police said.

Many parents and students are expected to file lawsuits to force a new test or to have the results of the initial exam discarded.

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