Cloning Pioneer Hwang-Woo-suk Fired

Seoul National University’s (SNU) disciplinary committee dismissed professor Hwang Woo-suk yesterday in a move related to the fabrication scandal over his 2004 and 2005 Science Magazine papers.

Professors Moon Shin-yong (SNU Medical School) and Kang Sung-geun (SNU Veterinary School) were given three-month suspensions; professors Lee Byung-cheon (SNU Veterinary School) and Ahn Gyu-ri (SNU Medical School) were given two-month suspensions; and professors Lee Chang-kyu (SNU School of Agriculture) and Baek Sun-ha (SNU Medical School) had their salaries reduced for one month.

Of these seven, professors Lee Chang-kyu and Baek Sun-ha were credited as paper co-authors, but they actually never contributed to any articles.

Hwang will not be allowed to take any official positions for the next five years and will only receive half of his retirement pay.

At a disciplinary committee meeting on January 20, SNU President Jung Woon-chang demanded the suspension of these seven and dissolved their positions on February 9.

Se-Jin Jung mint4a@donga.com