Disgraced SKorea scientist tried to work for Libya

A disgraced South Korean cloning scientist was forced to put a $134 million stem cell and DNA research deal with Libya on hold because of violence there.

An adviser to Hwang Woo-suk said Thursday that Hwang was in Libya last month but anti-government protests forced him to evacuate without signing the deals.

Hyun Sang-hwan says Hwang's SooAm Biotech Research Foundation earlier received about $800,000 from Libyan officials as advance payment. Hyun declined to give further details about the project.

Hyun says Libya had pushed to develop a bioengineering industry to spur economic growth.

Hwang was convicted in 2009 for embezzling research funds and illegally buying human eggs.

He received a suspended prison term.

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