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One of the 25 co-authors of Hwang’s article on patient-specific stem cells published in the magazine Science this year made the claim in an interview with the Chosun Ilbo. Among the increasingly dense jungle of claims and counterclaims in the scandal, Kim during that visit by Ahn and Yoon retracted his admission in a fresh interview with the cable channel YTN, which accompanied the two, saying he made the earlier statement under duress from MBC investigative reporters, who had told him Hwang would be arrested.

According to the co-author, Ahn and Yoon went to the U.S on Dec. 1 at Hwang’s request, and there Yoon gave Kim $20,000, followed by another $10,000 from Ahn. Kim returned the money to Seoul National University after returning home on Saturday, the source said. The source said the money was compensation for Kim’s mental stress from the strong-arm tactics of the MBC reporters. After his interview with the “PD Diary” reporters in mid-November, Kim was hospitalized for 10 days.

Ahn, Yoon and Kim were unavailable for comment on Monday.

Meanwhile, a Seoul National University (SNU) panel investigating the veracity of stem cell research by embattled cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk has delayed the announcement of investigation results to January 10, spawning suspicion about possible contradicting opinions among private institutes, which were entrusted with the analysis of DNA of two stem cells created by Hwang.

The panel said in a press release Monday that it would draw up the final report on the DNA analysis next week and its chairperson Chung Myung-hee would announce it. It would take more time to collect all DNA analysis results, the panel added.

The panel said Kim told it that he would comply with a summons of prosecutors any time. The SNU panel questioned Kim Sunday. Prosecutors will be able to swiftly launch an investigation into an alleged swap of stem cells claimed by Hwang. Hwang pointed an accusing finger at Kim as a culprit to swap stem cells and asked prosecutors to question him. Kim is an embryonic stem cell cultivation expert.

(englishnews@chosun.com )