After a three-year trial, Hwang Woo-Suk, the South Korean stem cell researcher accused of criminal fraud and embezzlement in May, 2006, was convicted today (October 26) of embezzling 830 million won ($705,000) in research funds -- money he had won based on two Science papers based on fabricated data -- and of illegally buying human eggs for his research. He will not, however, serve any time behind bars.

Pro-Hwang protest at Seoul National University in February 2006 Image: Wikimedia commons

The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Hwang to two years in jail but suspended the sentence because "he has shown he has truly repented for his crime," according to their verdict, Reuters reported. If he stays out of trouble for three years, the sentence will be lifted. Prosecutors had been hoping for four years in prison.

"Perhaps there is a chance that he might regain trust from people through sincere work. However, the truth has come out on his manipulated research and this has been made clear," Park Jeong-woo, a professor of bioethics at Catholic University, told Reuters.

Four of Hwang's former colleagues were also given suspended prison terms or fines for participating in the fraud.


Related stories:

Four years in jail for Hwang?
[ 24th August 2009]

Hwang charged with fraud, embezzlement
[12th May 2006]

Hwang faked results, says panel
[23rd December 2005]

Hwang requests Science retraction
[16th December 2005]

Seoul University to investigate Hwang cells
[12th December 2005]