South Korea leader explains Viagra purchase

South Korea's presidential office claims it bought Viagra pills to treat altitude sickness among staffers during a recent trip to Africa.

housands of Viagra pills on a packing machine to are depicted in this file photo. Source: AP

Blue pills in the Blue House?

The office of South Korean President Park Geun-hye has confirmed opposition revelations it bought about 360 Viagra pills and the generic version of the erectile dysfunction drug in December.

While the report has created a frenzy on the internet, Park's office said the pills were bought to potentially treat altitude sickness for presidential aides on Park's May trips to Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, whose capitals are 1-2km above sea level.

A presidential Blue House spokesman said the pills were not used.

South Korean doctors sometimes prescribe Viagra-style drugs to climbers because they are believed to be effective in preventing altitude sickness.

The Viagra revelation is just the latest twist in a massive political scandal building around Park.

She is bracing herself for an impeachment push by opposition parties and some members of her own Saenuri Party amid allegations she let her secretive confidante Choi Soon-sil manipulate government affairs and amass an illicit fortune.