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Viagra found in South Korean presidential offices | Viagra found in South Korean presidential offices |
(35 minutes later) | |
The scandal in South Korea involving President Park Geun-hye has taken an unexpected twist with news that Viagra has been found in her offices. | The scandal in South Korea involving President Park Geun-hye has taken an unexpected twist with news that Viagra has been found in her offices. |
Authorities found the pills - usually used to treat erectile dysfunction - while investigating corruption allegations against Ms Park. | Authorities found the pills - usually used to treat erectile dysfunction - while investigating corruption allegations against Ms Park. |
The government says the Viagra was bought to combat altitude sickness. | The government says the Viagra was bought to combat altitude sickness. |
The South Korean leader is accused of allowing her friend, Choi Soon-sil, to influence her decisions. | The South Korean leader is accused of allowing her friend, Choi Soon-sil, to influence her decisions. |
The presidential office confirmed it bought 364 Viagra and similar generic pills to deal with altitude sickness on official trips to East Africa, although the pills were never used. | The presidential office confirmed it bought 364 Viagra and similar generic pills to deal with altitude sickness on official trips to East Africa, although the pills were never used. |
The BBC's Stephen Evans in Seoul, says the discovery of Viagra will add an air of remoteness to the president. Many Koreans believe Ms Park is living in a "different world" which will exacerbate political pressure on her to resign. | The BBC's Stephen Evans in Seoul, says the discovery of Viagra will add an air of remoteness to the president. Many Koreans believe Ms Park is living in a "different world" which will exacerbate political pressure on her to resign. |
Some early rumours among Koreans alleged Ms Park could have been involved with cultish rituals with her friend Ms Choi. | Some early rumours among Koreans alleged Ms Park could have been involved with cultish rituals with her friend Ms Choi. |
Ms Choi, a long-time friend of Ms Park's, is the daughter of Choi Tae-min, a shadowy quasi-religious leader who was closely linked to Ms Park's father, then-president Park Chung-hee. | Ms Choi, a long-time friend of Ms Park's, is the daughter of Choi Tae-min, a shadowy quasi-religious leader who was closely linked to Ms Park's father, then-president Park Chung-hee. |
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Viagra and altitude sickness? | Viagra and altitude sickness? |
The discovery of Viagra grew out of the drug UK92480, a new treatment for angina, a heart condition that constricts the vessels that supply the heart with blood. | The discovery of Viagra grew out of the drug UK92480, a new treatment for angina, a heart condition that constricts the vessels that supply the heart with blood. |
It failed in treating angina, but during drug trials many volunteers reported an unusual side effect - lots of erections. Scientists ran more tests and discovered its effectiveness at treating erectile dysfunction. | It failed in treating angina, but during drug trials many volunteers reported an unusual side effect - lots of erections. Scientists ran more tests and discovered its effectiveness at treating erectile dysfunction. |
Because of biological similarities between the lungs and penis, scientists also discovered it could help protect against pulmonary hypertension, common in climbers. | Because of biological similarities between the lungs and penis, scientists also discovered it could help protect against pulmonary hypertension, common in climbers. |
At high altitudes decreased levels of oxygen can trigger high blood pressure in the lungs, which in extreme circumstance can be fatal. | At high altitudes decreased levels of oxygen can trigger high blood pressure in the lungs, which in extreme circumstance can be fatal. |
Viagra reduces high blood pressure and improves the transport of oxygen in the blood. | Viagra reduces high blood pressure and improves the transport of oxygen in the blood. |
Meanwhile, South Korean authorities have raided the offices of Samsung and the national pension fund as part of a corruption investigation linked to the president. | Meanwhile, South Korean authorities have raided the offices of Samsung and the national pension fund as part of a corruption investigation linked to the president. |
They are probing whether Ms Park pressured the fund to support a Samsung merger, said the Yonhap news agency. | They are probing whether Ms Park pressured the fund to support a Samsung merger, said the Yonhap news agency. |
Samsung's offices had already been raided over related allegations. | Samsung's offices had already been raided over related allegations. |
Wednesday's raid had to do with a merger last year between the electronics giant's construction arm, Samsung C&T, and an affiliate firm, Cheil Industries. | Wednesday's raid had to do with a merger last year between the electronics giant's construction arm, Samsung C&T, and an affiliate firm, Cheil Industries. |
For weeks, tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in Seoul to demand Ms Park's resignation - a call she has resisted. | For weeks, tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in Seoul to demand Ms Park's resignation - a call she has resisted. |
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