SEOUL: President Yoon Suk Yeol offered an apology Thursday for causing concerns to the people and vowed to revamp state affairs amid growing controversies surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee. Yoon stood up and bowed his head in apology during a televised address and press conference marking the second half of his term and providing an outline of the future policy direction. "I believe the role of the president is not to make excuses. All of this is due to my own shortcomings and lack of virtue," Yoon said, adding that he presented a "heartfelt apology" to the people.According to Yonhap News Agency, the conference was held at a time when Yoon's approval ratings have dipped below the 20 percent mark, with public discontent partly stemming from allegations regarding his past association with self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun, as well as issues surrounding the first lady. Yoon acknowledged that despite working tirelessly for the people over the past 2 1/2 years, there have been "shortcomings from the people's perspective.""The initiatives I began for the well-being of the people and the future of South Korea may have caused discomfort, and the issues surrounding those close to me also led to public concerns," he said.
- October 12, 2026
