HWANG-GATE
More details about the golden years of disgraced stem cell researcher Hwang Woo-suk have emerged in a book by a Korean journalist. Lee Sung-joo, of the newspaper Donga Ilbo, accuses his colleagues in “The Country of Hwang Woo-suk” of giving Hwang a dream run in return for lavish favours. In one instance, Hwang pressured two newspapers to go easy on a scandal surrounding the president of his university.
Hwang also gave reporters his own credit card to use on meals and drinks. Several reporters were given “scholarships” as a reward for their loyalty, including Yonhap News Agency, Chosun Ilbo and KBS broadcasting. Although some reporters were objective, Lee says, others acted like members of Hwang’s public relations team.
Michael Cook edits BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter, and MercatorNet, an on-line magazine whose focus is human dignity. He writes from Sydney, Australia.
Latest posts by Michael Cook (see all)
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