Embryonic Stem Cell Research Backers Continue Violence in South Korea 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 12, 2006
Seoul, South Korea (LifeNews.com) — Embryonic stem cell research supporters who back disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk are continuing to engage in violent actions in South Korea. Earlier this month, they assaulted a professor at Seoul National University and now they’re advocating more violent actions and at least one woman has been arrested.
Hwang supporters have congregated in Internet discussing forums.
The Korean Herald newspaper reports that one participant encouraged more assaults of those who have exposed the embryonic stem cell research fraud Hwang’s team perpetrated.
One post placed on the forum yesterday included a picture of a baseball bat and the words "be free to use this!"
The message appeared shortly after the operator of the web site was detained Saturday by South Korean police.
The person, a woman identified only as Kim had been arrested along with 30 other protesters for a violent protest at Seoul National University on Friday. Embryonic stem cell research activists assaulted two cameramen and vandalized SNU president Chung Un-chan’s automobile.
Kim also allegedly participated in the attack earlier this month on SNU research affairs dean, Roe Jung-hye. Roe led the school’s investigation into the fraudulent research and found that all of Hwang’s team’s claims were falsified except for cloning a dog.
Roe suffered bruises on her arms as they were twisted behind her back and had clumps of her hair pulled out as protesters surrounded her between her car and the school.
According to the Herald newspaper, the protesters on Friday wore white funeral garments and carried picket signs with Chung’s name and blamed him for being a "traitor to the nation."
Embryonic stem cell research advocates also disrupted another SNU forum the same day.
The National Association of Professors for Democratic Society held a discussion of "what we can learn from the Hwang Woo-suk scandal," and Hwang supporters rushed the stage and screamed profanities at the chairman.
The Herald also reports a separate incident that also occurred earlier this month when an embryonic stem cell research advocate hit Roh Sung-il, one of Hwang’s top partners and the first to reveal the team’s fraudulent research.
Roh had just finished talking with government officials investigating whether Hwang embezzled millions of dollars in public and private funds.
