# We$tern Medicine Embarrassed By North Korean Wonder Drug **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 20, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034 "2015-06-20T22:24:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/1 "2015-06-20T22:24:27Z")
While scientists around the world struggle to contain and treat dangerous infectious diseases, the North Koreans have successfully developed a drug that prevents _and_ treats such scourges as AIDS, Ebola and MERS.\* \*"The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said scientists developed Kumdang-2 from ginseng grown from fertiliser mixed with rare-earth elements and “micro-quantities of gold and platinum”, according to its website. “Malicious virus infections like Sars, Ebola and Mers are diseases that are related to immune systems, so they can be easily treated by Kumdang-2 injection drug, which is a strong immune reviver,” KCNA said."\* > **[North Korea claims 'cure' for Mers, Aids and Ebola](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/19/north-korea-cure-mers-aids-ebola-vaccine)** > > State media say scientists have developed a vaccine for ‘malicious infections’, including the respiratory disease currently sweeping through Asia All I can say is, Kumdang! This is even better than the Dear Leader shooting all those holes-in-one. Take that, Imperialist Big Pharma!!! \*I’m a bit puzzled at the announcement that this drug prevents and treats all those diseases, seeing as how preventing them should eliminate the need to treat them. Apparently my primitive American mind just can’t wrap itself around this revolutionary breakthrough. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/2 "2015-06-20T22:39:51Z")
Prevention doesn’t do much good if you already have it, though. _goes back to imagining Kim in a white coat in a lab_ ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/3 "2015-06-20T22:41:49Z")
Kumdang! I am thinking of adopting it as a general exclamation indicating surprise and wonder. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/4 "2015-06-20T22:55:25Z")
_checks fertilizer bag_ Dammit, no gold, no platinum, no rare-earths. Freakin’ Big Fertilizer conspiracy preventing my ginseng from making me immortal. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/5 "2015-06-20T23:00:28Z")
The sad part is that there are probably more people in DPRK who believe this claim than who know what these diseases are. But - hey, it’s an improvement. At least this time, they didn’t claim that it was invented by Dear Leader when he was 12 years old! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/6 "2015-06-20T23:18:32Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Kumdang! I am thinking of adopting it as a general exclamation indicating surprise and wonder. No, what you need to say is _Ai gu_! That’s as close as I can spell it in Roman script, and not Korean Han-gul. Although I will admit Kumdang is more fun!😃 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/7 "2015-06-21T13:45:20Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Kumdang! I am thinking of adopting it as a general exclamation indicating surprise and wonder. I think it’s a porno movie title. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/8 "2015-06-21T13:50:42Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > \*I’m a bit puzzled at the announcement that this drug prevents and treats all those diseases, seeing as how preventing them should eliminate the need to treat them. Apparently my primitive American mind just can’t wrap itself around this revolutionary breakthrough. In my country, we have a wonder drug that both prevents _and_ treats hunger. We call it “food”. Take that, Dear Leader. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/9 "2015-06-21T13:54:17Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > In my country, we have a wonder drug that both prevents _and_ treats hunger. We call it “food”. > > Take that, Dear Leader. Ha! Western medicine is not adequate for Korean bodies. “_Korean_ is the most perfect creature ever to sanctify the earth with the imprint of its foot.” -Chiun 😃 ---
**Author:** ![eclectic\_wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac91a4/32.png) [@eclectic\_wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eclectic_wench)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/10 "2015-06-21T13:55:05Z")
I read the thread title as ‘Western Medicine Embarrassed By North Korean Wonder Dog’. I like my way better. It has so much potential. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/11 "2015-06-21T14:04:07Z")
It says that it was developed “by scientists”. This is just another example of the Dear Leader’s wonderful and amazing modesty. He doesn’t want the credit for his great discovery! ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/12 "2015-06-21T15:55:24Z")
That’s just stupid. Everyone knows [kimchi cures SARS](http://articles.latimes.com/2003/jun/17/entertainment/et-magnier17), not ginseng. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/13 "2015-06-21T18:06:11Z")
I wonder what the HIV infection rate is like in North Korea? I would assume it’s fairly low, comparatively, with such a homogenous, insulated society. Has there been any data? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/14 "2015-06-21T20:26:16Z")
At least it’s injected. I hate the taste of ginseng. Please note that, PepsiCo, with your Pepsi Max. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/15 "2015-06-21T21:07:48Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Ha! Western medicine is not adequate for Korean bodies. > > “_Korean_ is the most perfect creature ever to sanctify the earth with the imprint of its foot.” -Chiun > 😃 Do you always talk like a Chinese fortune cookie? ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/16 "2015-06-21T21:43:26Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Ha! Western medicine is not adequate for Korean bodies. > > “_Korean_ is the most perfect creature ever to sanctify the earth with the imprint of its foot.” -Chiun > 😃 except for those running dogs in Pyongyang!! ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/17 "2015-06-22T00:33:34Z")
The Norks, fed up with being fooled by Onion articles, are now writing their own. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/18 "2015-06-22T06:18:10Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Kumdang! I am thinking of adopting it as a general exclamation indicating surprise and wonder. It’s a phrase often uttered by Dear Leader’s mistresses when they’ve been disappointed in the bedroom once again. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/19 "2015-06-22T13:26:20Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > In my country, we have a wonder drug that both prevents _and_ treats hunger. We call it “food”. > > Take that, Dear Leader. They don’t have that in North Korea, so they had to develop other methods. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034/20 "2015-06-22T14:06:38Z")
> [@Sarabellum1976](#): > > I wonder what the HIV infection rate is like in North Korea? I would assume it’s fairly low, comparatively, with such a homogenous, insulated society. [We don’t know](http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/global?page=cr04-kn-00), because the [Official Government Position is that North Korea is an HIV-free country](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axdxgbibRdY). However, we know from Chinese health officials that it isn’t. Official denial is rarely an effective HIV prevention strategy. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-tern-medicine-embarrassed-by-north-korean-wonder-drug/723034.md?page=2)