Acupuncture needle found in ex-president's lung

The former president of South Korea went to hospital with a bad cough only to find he had an acupuncture needle in his lung.

Roh Tae-Woo, 78 - who served as president from 1988 to 1993 - went to the Seoul National University Hospital complaining of general bad health and was only released after doctors discovered the 2.6 inch needle in his right lung and removed it during an operation.

Acupuncturists were baffled because the practise does not ever involve penetration of the lungs.

Dr Sung Myung-whun said: "I can't figure out how the needle got into there. It is a mystery for me, too."