Nepal to probe women’s skin sold for penis boost

Kathmandu, March 12: Nepal said it will investigate a report claiming poor women are being trafficked and duped into selling their skin to be used for penis and breast enlargements.

An investigation by the Indian news website Youth Ki Awaaz said Nepali women were selling 20 square inches of skin tissue from their backs for $150 to be used in plastic surgery.

Nepal’s women, child and social welfare minister Kumar Khadka told Reuters the government was shocked after reading the report published on March 6. “We are stunned by the report. We will investigate and if found to be correct, the government will make all efforts to stop this heinous crime.”

The report said the Nepali women were trafficked to brothels in Indian cities such as Mumbai and then later duped into selling their skin. Some victims said they were drugged and their skin removed.

The skin tissue is sold onto pathology laboratories in India where it is processed and exported to companies in the US which manufacture skin and tissue derivative products for the global plastic surgery market, the report said. — Reuters

March 12: Ousted South Korean President Park Geunhye expressed defiance toward the corruption allegations against her as she vacated the presidential palace and returned to her home on Sunday, two days after the Constitutional Court removed her from office.

In her first public comments since the court’s ruling, Ms Park said in statement, “Although it will take time, I believe the truth will certainly come out.”

Ms Park will likely face a direct investigation soon by prosecutors who already consider her a criminal suspect over suspicions that she colluded with a confidante to extort money and favors from companies and allowed the friend to secretly interfere with state affairs.

In her statement Ms Park also expressed gratitude to her supporters and apologised for “failing to fulfill my duty as president.” — AP