From 'National Hero' to 'Presidential Award Revoked'... Hwang Woo-suk Stripped of Top Science and Technology Award After 22 Years

[Financial News] The Presidential Award for Korea’s Highest Science and Technology Award, once given to former Seoul National University professor Hwang Woo-suk, who was embroiled in controversy over fabricated stem cell papers, was revoked 22 years later.
According to Newsis and others on the 15th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety requested presidential approval the previous day to revoke Hwang's award. Approval was granted the same day, finalizing the revocation.
Earlier, the Ministry of Science and ICT had asked the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in March to revoke Hwang's Korea’s Highest Science and Technology Award. After reviewing the matter, MOIS requested presidential approval through the government management system on the 14th, and approval was granted that same day.
Korea’s Highest Science and Technology Award is a Presidential Award given to scientists and engineers who have made outstanding contributions to the development of science and technology in Korea. It traces its roots to the Science and Technology Award created in 1968 to mark the first Science Day. It is regarded as the most prestigious award in the field, to the extent that both granting and revoking it require presidential approval.
Hwang received the award and a prize of 300 million won in 2004 in recognition of his research on human embryonic stem cells.
However, the fabrication of the stem cell papers later came to light, and Hwang was dismissed from Seoul National University in 2006. That same year, MSIT revoked his status as the first No. 1 Top Scientist and also canceled the Order of Science and Technology Merit, Creative Medal.
The revocation of the top science and technology award was delayed because of gaps in the relevant rules. The cancellation process was not carried out until 2020, 16 years after the award was first given.
Hwang filed an administrative lawsuit, arguing that the revocation was unlawful.
Both the first- and second-instance courts found procedural illegality, citing, among other things, the government's failure to give Hwang a chance to submit his opinion before taking action. In April 2023, the Supreme Court of Korea upheld the lower court ruling.
The government then corrected the procedural flaws identified by the court, gave Hwang an opportunity to submit his views, and restarted the revocation process.
A MOIS official said, "The date of presidential approval is the date of the award's revocation, so Hwang's Korea’s Highest Science and Technology Award was canceled as of the 14th," adding, "MSIT plans to publish the fact in the Government Gazette soon."
[email protected] Kim Su-yeon Reporter