Member of Hwang Team Involved in Ovum Scandal

A key member of a Korean stem cell team led by professor Hwang Woo-suk at Seoul National University has been involved in the illegal trading of ovum.

Roh Sung-il, head of an infertility clinic at Mizmedi Women's Hospital in Seoul, Tuesday said he conducted artificial insemination with illegally traded ova.

``I knew the eggs were traded unlawfully. But I could not turn a blind eye to couples, who were suffering from infertility. So I conducted operations with them,'' Roh told an interview with all-news cable channel YTN.

He added the relevant authorities like the Ministry of Health and Welfare knew the situation but remained tight-lipped for fear of a negative social response.

Roh's remarks came at a time when the whole country is disturbed by ovum trading. The activities were prohibited here after police apprehended a broker.

The broker who arranged human ovum trades on the Internet in violation of the bioethics law, which took effect in January.

The law stipulates those offering ovum for a commercial purpose are subject to prison terms of up to three years and those...