The government has decided to reject a request made by scientist Hwang Woo-suk to resume stem cell research.

The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said in a statement Friday it decided not to approve the request from the Suam Biotechnology Institute (SBI) to begin research on human embryonic stem cells for medical treatment purposes.

SBI is a Seoul research lab opened by Hwang in 2006.

The ministry explained the decision was made as Hwang still stands on trial for charges that he violated the nation's bioethical laws when obtaining eggs in relation to his research on stem cells in 2006.