[What Do You Think] Private-Led 'Topic'... Could It Become the Second AI Textbook?

Controversy Over Digitalization of TOPIK
Full Digital Test to Begin Next Year
Test Fees to Increase by 30,000 to 40,000 KRW
Naver Consortium to Oversee Project and Expand Test Sessions
Even If Unfamiliar With Korean Keyboard
Test-Takers Must Take IBT... Choice Is Limited
No Proper Public Deliberation Process
Concerns It May End Up Like the "AI Textbook"

Controversy is arising over the Ministry of Education's full digital transition project for the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK). The 'Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK),' supervised and administered by the National Institute for International Education under the Ministry of Education, will be fully converted to a digital test starting next year, with the 'Naver Consortium (Naver, NSDevil, Daekyo)' in charge. The current paper-based test will be eliminated, and the test fee will increase by 170%. The number of test sessions will gradually increase from the current six times a year to 12 times (2026?2028) → 24 times (2029?2030), with plans to hold the test year-round starting in 2031. However, there are criticisms that there has been insufficient field consultation and that test-takers' choices have further regressed. There are concerns that it might follow the same path as the 'AI Textbook,' which is widely regarded as a failure.

The 81st Korean Language Proficiency Test is being conducted at the University of Kansas in Kansas, USA. International Culture Promotion Policy Office website

◆ Rapid Implementation Instead of Public Deliberation

The AI textbook, introduced in March this year, saw its status change multiple times?from 'textbook' to 'educational material' and back to 'textbook'?after the revision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act passed the National Assembly last December but was vetoed by the government. Although it eventually gained textbook status, confusion persisted until just before the start of the school year, with guidelines changing from mandatory adoption to voluntary selection. As of March, the nationwide average adoption rate of AI textbooks stands at only 33%.

In the education field, there are remarks that TOPIK resembles the AI textbook in terms of lack of communication with the field.

TOPIK is a nationally certified language proficiency test taken by over 400,000 people annually, both domestically and internationally, aiming to enter Korean universities or get employed by companies. Last year, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration announced it would implement a 'private investment-type software (SW) project,' opening up public sector software projects, which were previously fully funded by the government, to the private sector. The first project under this initiative is the 'digitalization of TOPIK.' The government stated that digitalization aims to enhance the global competitiveness of the Korean language test, but discussions on the direction of Korean language dissemination projects were not properly conducted. Since Deputy Prime Minister Lee announced the 'Private-led TOPIK Digital Transition Basic Plan' in May 2023, there has been no proper public deliberation process.

◆ Test-Takers' Choice Disappears

Eliminating the paper test and switching to a digital test is similar to the approach taken with the AI textbook, which aimed to introduce fully digital textbooks by 2028. According to the government plan, the institute will complete negotiations by June this year and start the project, fully transitioning TOPIK to digital from next year. The paper-based test (PBT) will be abolished.

Currently, TOPIK is conducted in two formats: the internet-based test (IBT) and the paper-based test (PBT). The PBT fee is 40,000 KRW for the beginner-level TOPIK I and 55,000 KRW for the intermediate and advanced-level TOPIK II. However, with the full digital transition, test-takers will have to take the more expensive IBT, which costs nearly twice as much. The IBT fee is 70,000 KRW for TOPIK I and 95,000 KRW for TOPIK II.

An insider familiar with the situation said, "To increase revenue from test fees, there is a plan to raise the PBT fee by more than 170% compared to now and gradually phase out the PBT entirely." It is known that within five years, test fees in all countries will be set at the same level as in Korea.

Ultimately, TOPIK test fees will increase to between 70,000 and 95,000 KRW. While private companies can turn a profit quickly, test-takers lose their choice.

◆ Does This Align with 'Korean Language Dissemination and Education Activation'?

This trend contradicts the government and Ministry of Education's goals of 'expanding Korean language dissemination and revitalizing Korean language education.' Especially in the writing section, where previously test-takers could write answers by hand, the full expansion of the digital system due to TOPIK privatization means test-takers must type their answers using a Korean keyboard. TOPIK II includes a writing test (50 minutes) in addition to listening and reading. The writing section requires short-answer compositions of about 300?500 characters.

Currently, there are two formats, PBT and IBT, so foreign test-takers unfamiliar with keyboards can choose PBT. However, if PBT is abolished, there will be no choice. Test-takers will need not only Korean language proficiency but also keyboard skills to take the test. Considering that overseas learners may have no opportunity to use a Korean keyboard, this could actually hinder the trend of expanding Korean language learners.

A recent controversy over 'conflict of interest' has arisen as a public official from the National Institute for International Education, who was promoting the full digital transition project, was appointed as a director of NSDevil, one of the consortium companies selected for priority negotiation. During the AI textbook promotion, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Joo-ho faced suspicions due to past donations from edutech companies.