The Health Ministry said Monday that a research team including disgraced cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk has submitted to the government a plan for a stem cell research project.

The move draws attention to whether the government will approve the plan submitted by the Suam Biotechnology Institute, which was opened by Hwang in July 2006.

Hwang, once considered a national hero, has been on trial for allegedly faking his embryonic stem cell research.

Under the plan, Hwang would participate in the project not as team leader but as a researcher.

The team is said to be planning stem cell research using somatic cell nuclear transfer, the same method used in Hwang's previous work.

Hwang is said to have been conducting stem cell research at a Thai lab since his fall from grace last year.