On November 24, 2016, South Korean media exposed the incident of "Park Geun-hye being caught buying Viagra".
According to the "Kyonghyang News", the Blue House purchased 364 pills of Viagra for treating male erectile dysfunction in December 2015, and in June 2016, it purchased 1000 pills of medicine for treating high-altitude sickness.
On November 23, 2016, the Blue House explained this purchase, stating it was for preventing and treating high-altitude sickness during President Park Geun-hye's visit to Africa.
Although the main ingredient, sildenafil, in Viagra does have some relieving effects on pulmonary vascular constriction caused by hypoxia, capable of suppressing hypoxia symptoms in high-altitude tourists, South Korean media expressed doubts about this explanation and countered it.
Apart from this incident, Park Geun-hye also became widely known due to several gossip incidents.
Since becoming South Korea's president in 2013, she lived luxuriously, reportedly buying 94 sets of high-end clothing in just one year, totaling 700 million Korean won.
Additionally, she was controversial for allegedly helping her friend Choi Soon-sil amass wealth.
There were rumors of her having a romantic relationship with South Korean actor Song Joong-ki, although both parties denied it.
However, the "Dong-A Ilbo" reported that Park Geun-hye had instructed special treatment for Song Joong-ki, further intensifying public scrutiny.
Park Geun-hye's political career was also contentious, being considered the world's first female president to purchase Viagra in large quantities.
On October 15, 2016, South Korea's JTBC television reported that Park Geun-hye's close friend Choi Soon-sil's greatest hobby was reading presidential speeches, sparking a huge controversy domestically.
These events ultimately led to Park Geun-hye's resignation.
After several months of investigation, the Constitutional Court of Korea confirmed these allegations, forcing Park Geun-hye to step down, becoming the first president in South Korean history to do so due to impeachment.
Furthermore, the "Sewol" ferry disaster became a turning point in Park Geun-hye's political career.
The accident resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, and Park Geun-hye's government faced widespread criticism for its inadequate response, hastening the end of her political career and turning her from a once-popular president into a public scorned figure.
After Park Geun-hye stepped down, South Korea's political landscape underwent drastic changes.
Her successor, Moon Jae-in, initiated a series of anti-corruption and democratic reform measures, attempting to restore public trust in the government.
However, Park Geun-hye's legacy issues continued to have far-reaching impacts, with South Korean society facing numerous challenges on political, economic, and social fronts.
Park Geun-hye's luxurious personal life and her relationship with Choi Soon-sil also sparked widespread questioning of transparency in South Korea's political system and ethical standards.
Her purchase of Viagra was not merely a personal choice but also reflected potential abuses and privileges behind power, further exacerbating societal distrust of political elites.
Despite facing numerous controversies and challenges during her political career, Park Geun-hye was also viewed by some supporters as a strong leader who contributed to the country's security and development.
However, she ultimately stepped down due to allegations of power abuse and involvement in the scandal with her confidante Choi Soon-sil, profoundly altering South Korea's political landscape and the public's expectations of its leaders.
The incident of Park Geun-hye being caught buying Viagra not only exposed issues of power abuse and privilege within South Korea's political system but also had profound implications for South Korean society.
Her political journey and personal trajectory became an important chapter in South Korean political history, prompting deep reflections on morality, responsibility, and leadership.
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