The Science and Technology Ministry will build a new high-tech facility on the Seoul National University campus for the research of cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-suk.

The ministry on Thursday said the 1,200-square meter facility will cost 20 billion won and is slated for completion in October next year.

It will comprise a primate research facility and center for a joint project between Hwang and renowned scientists from abroad.

The facility will test the safety of organs produced from sterilized pigs and study applications of cell-therapy technology.