Updated Jan.11,2006 20:20 KST

SNU President Apologizes for Hwang Fraud

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Seoul National University president Chung Un-chan on Wednesday apologized for the ¡°indelible stain¡± left on Korean science by the scientific fraud of disgraced cloning researcher Hwang Woo-suk. The apology comes a day after an internal university panel said Hwang faked data in two articles published in 2004 and last year that appeared to record groundbreaking research on stem cell cloning.

¡°I feel miserable to discover that Hwang¡¯s team really fabricated its papers,¡± the president said in a statement. ¡°I offer sincere apologies for Hwang, who left an indelible stain on the Korean scientific community as well as the world scientific community.¡±

Chung promised stern punishment for all those involved in the fabrication, saying he had asked the school¡¯s disciplinary committee to come up with punitive measures. He also announced plans to set up a research review committee in the university that will ensure the authenticity of research.

¡°I believe this incident offers an opportunity for the scientific community to develop self-purifying mechanisms, and that will at least be a valuable asset,¡± Chung said. ¡°Our university will try to overcome the humiliation and frustration resulting from the incident and restore its proud tradition.¡±

Meanwhile, the government has decided to strip Hwang of his title as the country¡¯s first ¡°top scientist¡± and all other public titles. It will also ask the Board of Audit and Inspection to investigate Hwang¡¯s use of state funding for his stem cell research. The police said it pulled off the special bodyguards it provided for Hwang.

(englishnews@chosun.com )


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