South Korean prosecutors raid office of scientist
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-12 09:06

Prosecutors raided the home and offices of disgraced South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk on Thursday as part of a criminal probe into the alleged misuse of state funds, South Korean media reported.

On Tuesday, an investigation panel at Seoul National University said a team led by the once-heralded Hwang faked two landmark papers on embryonic stem cells, but did produce the world's first cloned dog.

Hwang, who has been in seclusion since resigning from Seoul National University on December 23, was expected to hold a news conference on Thursday (0130 GMT) at which he will apologise for the wrongdoing at his laboratory, South Korean media reported.

A South Korean supporter of stem-cell scientist Hwang Woo-suk, who was a professor at Seoul National University, holds candles at a candle light vigil in Seoul January 11, 2006. Hundreds of supporters of Hwang gathered in central Seoul on Wednesday to insist that the university give Hwang an opportunity to reproduce his work.[Reuters]

The Seoul central prosecutor's office said it obtained search warrants for 26 places related to the research led by Hwang's team that included his home and office, a Seoul hospital from which human eggs were procured and the homes of team members.

The prosecutor's office would not say whether any of the searches had been carried out, but South Korean media said Hwang's home and office had already been targeted.

A team of seven prosecutors was formed on Wednesday to look into the case and wants to act swiftly to prevent tampering with any evidence, an official said by telephone.

Chung Un-chan, president of Seoul National University, speaks during a news conference at the university in Seoul January 11, 2006. Chung apologised to the nation on Wednesday, for a team led by South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk who fabricated two data on embryonic stem cells. [Reuters]

It also expects to conduct interviews with all the main actors in the scandal, the official said.

Prosecutors would not give details of their probe. Prior to the raids, they said Hwang may be subject to a criminal probe and added they would also investigate his claims that data was switched as part of a conspiracy to discredit him.

The crime of fraudulently obtaining state funds can be punished by up to 10 years in prison, local media reported.

Hwang's research had raised hope for those suffering from debilitating and deadly diseases because it seemed to hasten the day when genetically specific tissue could be grown to help repair damaged bodies and cure ailments such as severe spinal cord injuries and Parkinson's disease.