Hwang Woo-suk’s UAE Naturalization and Loss of Korean Citizenship: Age, Recent Activities, and Stem Cell Paper Scandal

Once a highly prominent figure representing South Korea’s biotechnology sector, a person presumed to be former Seoul National University professor Hwang Woo-suk has acquired United Arab Emirates (UAE) citizenship and lost South Korean citizenship,it has been confirmed.

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According to reports on 2026년 11월 9일, the Cheongju Immigration Office of the Ministry of Justice published a notice in the Official Gazette on August 13 announcing the loss of citizenship of Hwang Woo-suk, born in 1953. Yonhap News reported that, based on the birth year, registered domicile, and activities in the UAE, he is presumed to be the same person as the former professor.

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The date of loss of citizenship was 2026년 4월 9일, and the reason was acquisition of UAE citizenship.

According to Article 15 of the Republic of Korea’s Nationality Act, Korean nationals who voluntarily acquire foreign citizenship lose their Korean citizenship at that time.

Therefore, this loss of citizenship was not a revocation resulting from the past paper fabrication scandal, but a legal consequence of acquiring foreign citizenship.

The specific personal reasons for deciding to acquire UAE citizenship have not been officially confirmed.

Former professor Hwang Woo-suk is a veterinarian and biotechnology researcher born in 1953 in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province.

Hwang Woo-suk drew worldwide attention for somatic cell nuclear transfer and animal cloning research

and received attention in the field of animal cloning for his involvement in the birth of Snuppy, a cloned dog, in 2005.

However, his standing in South Korea’s scientific community changed significantly after the scandal involving fabricated human embryonic stem cell research papers.

At the heart of the controversy was human embryonic stem cell research published by Hwang’s team in the international journal Science in 2004 and 2005.

At the time, the research team announced that it had created human embryonic stem cells through somatic cell nuclear transfer and obtained patient-specific stem cells.

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However, allegations of data fabrication in the papers and ethical concerns about how research eggs were obtained emerged in late 2005.

A Seoul National University investigation found that the 11 patient-specific embryonic stem cell lines claimed in the 2005 paper did not actually exist.

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Science retracted the papers in question. Seoul National University dismissed Professor Hwang Woo-suk in 2006, and Hwang’s lawsuit seeking to overturn his dismissal ended in a final defeat in 2015.

In the criminal case related to research funding, a sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 2 years,was finalized.

The government also revoked, on 2026년 7월 14일, the Republic of Korea’s Top Scientist and Engineer Award, which Hwang received in 2004.

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The initial revocation in 2020 was overturned because of a procedural flaw: he had not been given an opportunity to submit his views. The government later corrected the procedure and revoked it again.

Former professor Hwang Woo-suk currently works as chief executive officer (CEO) at a UAE biotech research institute in Abu Dhabi.

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Research areas cited include cloning animals such as camels, cattle, and goats; conserving rare animals; stem cells; and biotechnology.

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He has continued animal cloning research in the UAE, including camel cloning.

The institute also describes research related to biodiversity conservation.

A figure attracting attention in connection with this research is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister.

Mansour is also known as the owner of the English Premier League club Manchester City.

A 2024 paper on camel cloning research involving Hwang states that the research was conducted with Mansour’s support.

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Support for animal cloning research in the UAE can be viewed in connection with interest in the camel industry, securing superior livestock genetic resources, conserving rare species, and developing the biotechnology industry. However, the specific background or motives for support of particular research have not been confirmed.

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However, it has not been officially confirmed that Mansour personally recommended Hwang Woo-suk for UAE citizenship.

As of 2026, Hwang Woo-suk’s activities are centered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, rather than in South Korean research institutions.

In South Korea, he lost his professorship over the stem cell paper fabrication and research ethics issues, and his standing in major science and technology honors was also damaged. In the UAE, he is reportedly continuing research focused on animal cloning technology.

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The news of his acquisition of UAE citizenship and loss of Korean citizenship has drawn attention because his overseas activities have led to a change in citizenship.

However, the achievements of animal cloning research and the past fabrication of human embryonic stem cell papers need to be evaluated separately.

News of Hwang Woo-suk’s naturalization in the UAE is an event that prompts reflection not only on a scientist’s change of citizenship, but also on the verification of research results, bioethics, and national biotechnology strategies.

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