S. Korean President Caught With 364 Viagra Pills

The discovery is expected to make things hard for her
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 23, 2016 3:40 PM CST
Viagra Stash Expected to Make Things Hard for S. Korean President
More than 350 Viagra pills were found in the office of South Korean president Park Geun-hye. They're expected to make things harder for her as she faces stiff public opposition.   (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, Pool)

If your political scandal lasts longer than four hours, maybe get rid of all that Viagra you've got stashed in the presidential office. The BBC reports authorities investigating South Korean president Park Geun-hye for corruption discovered more than 300 Viagra pills in her office. A spokesperson for Park tells Reuters the 364 pills—a combination of Viagra and a generic knockoff—were purchased last December to treat aides and employees for altitude sickness during Park's trip to Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya in May but never used. The Guardian notes that all three countries have capitals thousands of feet above sea level.

Viagra can reportedly be effective against altitude sickness because it reduces blood pressure and improves oxygen transportation in the blood. But that didn't stop the discovery from causing a stir in South Korea, where Park is facing potential impeachment efforts. Park is accused of letting a friend have influence over government decisions and pressuring businesses to give money to foundations that support her policies. There are also rumors that Park was involved in "cultish rituals." Thousands have been protesting and calling for her to step down in recent weeks. A BBC reporter says the discovery of the Viagra will "add an air of remoteness" to Park, who many already see as living in a "different world." (More Park Geun-hye stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X