Hwang has been in seclusion since he resigned from Seoul National University on December 23.

He has stood by his findings, saying they were South Korean technology and would be proved.

The panel said the fraud in the May 2005 paper undermined the principles of science and Hwang must shoulder much of the blame.

The discredited scientist had been widely feted by the government and admired by the public before the scandal broke. Some people still vocally support him.

Hwang had become a national hero in South Korea before his scientific advances fell under question.

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