Stem cell pioneer Hwang Woo-suk says the World Stem Cell Hub in Seoul has opened at the request of other nations, and that the number of overseas inquiries are twenty times those from Korean people.

The center located in Seoul National University Hospital began accepting applications last week for test subjects for research on incurable diseases.

Hwang, who heads the center, told the media that foreign researchers strongly supported the opening of the center in Seoul, citing legal barriers in their own countries.

Hwang said experts from Spain, Germany and many other nations expressed willingness to participate in the center's research.

Some 10,000 Korean patients flocked to the center in the first two days after it opened late last month.

Professor Hwang is visiting Paris to speak at an event hosted by the French biologists' association to mark the World Human Life Day.