The government on Tuesday decided to strip disgraced stem cell scientist Hwang Woo-suk and six other researchers of state medals after their once-celebrated research was found to have been fabricated.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, Han's office said. The decision is subject to approval by President Roh Moo-hyun.
The six other scientists affected include four co-authors of Hwang's paper from state-run Seoul National University -- Lee Byung-chun, Kang Sung-keun, Moon Shin-yong and An Cu-rie -- Roh Sung-il, the chief of MizMedi hospital who provided human eggs for Hwang's research and Hwang Jeong-hye, associate obstetrician professor of Hanyang University.
Prosecutors concluded that Hwang masterminded the manipulation of the papers published in the U.S. journal Science in 2004 and in 2005, and his junior researcher Kim Sung-jong cooperated.
Hwang is on trial on charges of fraud, embezzlement and allegedly misusing billions of won given to him by public and private donors for his research.
In a court hearing earlier this month, Hwang acknowledged what he called a "comprehensive" responsibility for fabricating the 2005 paper, but denied allegations that he ordered specifically to falsify the data.
Seoul, July 18 (Yonhap News)
Seven S. Korean stem cell scientists stripped of state medals |
