World-renowned scientist Hwang Woo-seok said on Tuesday his research on cultivating embryonic stem cells to help patients with incurable diseases would be featured on the cover of the June 17th edition of Science Magazine.

Speaking at a forum organized by the Kwanghun Club in Seoul, the Seoul National University professor said he had already submitted a complete layout of his thesis to the magazine.

Hwang added that it is an unprecedented event for a local study to be featured on the covers of the world’s prominent science journals, including Science, Nature and Cell.

The professor said even though he led the research throughout the process, it would have been impossible without the help of the heavens.

He viewed the news as a golden opportunity granted by heaven to help Korea triumph on the world stage after suffering from foreign invasions and fratricidal war.