South Korean president who bought viagra while in Nairobi impeached
South Korea’s parliament has endorsed an impeachment motion against President Park Geun-hye with overwhelming support of opposition lawmakers and defiant members of Park’s ruling Saenuri Party.
The motion was endorsed by 234 lawmakers, with 56 voting against, 7 invalid and 2 abstaining in the 300-member unicameral National Assembly.
South Korean authorities had revealed last month that president indeed bought Viagra during a visit to Nairobi, Kenya, but that the purchase wasn’t meant for libido enhancement.
According to President Park Geun-hye’s office, the purchase of about 360 erectile dysfunction Viagra pills had nothing to do with the drug’s popular use, but rather they were meant to treat altitude sickness for members of the presidential entourage.
MAIDEN TRIP
The president made her maiden trip to Kenya in May 2016 in an African tour that also took her to Ethiopia and Uganda which all have high altitude capital cities.
Her presidency will now be formally suspended in a couple of hours when she receives an official letter of the result from the National Assembly. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn will take as interim leader according to the Constitution.
Park’s suspension will continue for up to 180 days, during which the Constitutional Court will review the endorsed motion to decide whether her impeachment was justified.
If six members of the nine-judge court find the impeachment justifiable, Park will be removed from office and South Korea will have 60 days to elect a successor through a nationwide election.
But if fewer than six judges do so, Park will immediately return to power.
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS
President Park Geun-hye has faced terrible approval ratings and massive protests since it emerged that her confidante and adviser, Choi Soon-sil, had access to confidential government documents despite holding no official government position.
Choi is accused of using her relationship with Park to accumulate millions of dollars in donations to her foundations and has been detained after being charged with abuse of power, fraud and coercion.
Two of Park’s former aides also face criminal charges.
