Statement Delivered to the Ministry of Science and ICT
Former Seoul National University Professor Hwang Woo-suk. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 1st, Dr. Hwang Woo-suk submitted a statement titled "Regarding the Request for Return of Award Certificate and Prize Money Following the Government Award Cancellation Decision." [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Former Seoul National University professor Hwang Woo-suk, who was dismissed for manipulating stem cell research papers, has stated that he will return the certificate for the 'Korea's Top Scientist Award' he received in 2004, but cannot return the 300 million won prize money.
According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 1st, Dr. Hwang submitted a statement titled "Regarding the Request for Return of Certificate and Prize Money Following the Government Award Cancellation Decision."
The statement contained Dr. Hwang's position on the government's decision to revoke his honor.
In the statement, Dr. Hwang said, "I will return the certificate, but I cannot return the prize money," explaining, "The prize money was returned to the state through the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity (now the National Research Council of Science & Technology) at the time of the award in 2004."
He also expressed that the cancellation of the award was unjust. Dr. Hwang stated, "I cannot agree with the reasons for the revocation of the honor," citing that his contributions to stem cell technology were recognized overseas as well.
He further explained in the statement, "The stem cell line established by myself and the Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine research team in 2004, commonly known as the NT-1 stem cell line, is unique, so the award was given in recognition of the technology that established this stem cell line."
He added, "After the award, the stem cell line was neglected amid the national controversy known as the 'Hwang Woo-suk stem cell scandal' in 2005, but more than ten years later, it was recognized by the patent offices in the United States and Canada, thereby gaining recognition domestically as well."
Earlier, on the 18th, the Ministry of Science and ICT notified former professor Hwang to return the Korea's Top Scientist Award and the 300 million won prize money. The official letter stated that "the prize money must be returned within 10 days according to relevant laws."
Dr. Hwang faced controversy in 2005, the year after receiving the award, over allegations of manipulating human embryonic stem cell research papers.
Subsequently, in 2016, legal grounds were established to cancel awards, and the government's request to revoke the honor was belatedly made, officially deciding to cancel Dr. Hwang's award.
On the 16th of last month, the Ministry of Science and ICT notified Dr. Hwang of the cancellation of his honor and instructed him to return the certificate and the 300 million won prize money by the end of the previous month. The prize money returned by Dr. Hwang was to become the property of the Science and Technology Promotion Fund managed by the National Research Foundation of Korea.
The Ministry of Science and ICT is currently reviewing Dr. Hwang's statement. The ministry stated, "We requested the return of the prize money from Dr. Hwang in accordance with the National Bond Management Act," adding, "If the prize money is not returned within 15 days after the issuance of a demand letter, we will have no choice but to take legal action."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
