Stem cell scandal in South Korea: parliamentary probe

South Korean opposition parties plan to call Thursday for a parliamentary probe into suspicions that disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk faked results claiming a breakthrough in stem cell research, an official said. The main opposition Grand National Party and three other minor opposition groups agreed to introduce a motion calling on the National Assembly to investigate the scandal, said Choi Jin-hwan, an aide to GNP lawmaker Ahn Kyung-yul.

Photo: Stem cell scandal in South Korea: parliamentary probe

The proposal will bear the signatures of all 151 legislators from the four parties, more than the simple majority in the 299-member parliament necessary to approve the motion, Choi said. "We will talk with the ruling party to reach an agreement (on the probe)," Choi said. "But if negotiations break off, there is no way but to pass the motion by vote."

The opposition proposal calls for creating a 29-member special investigation committee to probe Hwang's alleged wrongdoing and whether the government attempted to cover up the scandal, Choi said. Prosecutors have been investigating Hwang since mid-January, after Hwang's university said the scientist faked his research results.

Hwang, once hailed as a national hero and pioneer in the field of embryonic stem cells, which scientists hope will help treat diseases such as Alzheimer's and diabetes, publicly apologized for faking data, but claimed he was deceived by fellow researchers.

Last week, Hwang's university temporarily barred him and six other professors on his team from teaching and conducting research because of their involvement in fabricated stem cell research. Earlier this month, South Korea 's state audit board said Hwang was suspected of misusing government funds.

Through last year, Hwang received 30.9 billion won (US$31.8 million; Ђ 26.37 million) in government funds for research as well as 6 billion won (US$6.2 million; Ђ 5.14 million) in private donations, the Board of Audit and Inspection said. Of that money, the board said it is unclear where 2.5 billion won (US$2.6 million; Ђ 2.16 million) was spent, reports the AP.

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