Psy has formally apologised for rapping incendiary lyrics about the death of Americans at a show years ago.
The South Korean Gangnam Style YouTube star was part of a concert in 2004 in the midst of widespread anti-American sentiment throughout his country.
Many of his countrymen were incensed about the US war with Iraq after a South Korean missionary named Kim Sun-il was captured by Islamists and beheaded. Kim demanded that South Korea cancel its plans to send thousands of troops to aid America in the war.
Psy took the stage and rapped a verse stating “F**king Yankees [should die] slowly and painfully”.
The musician now feels remorse for his words.
"As a proud South Korean who was educated in the United States and lived there for a very significant part of my life, I understand the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world,” Psy released in a statement to MTV News.
“The song I was featured in -- from eight years ago -- was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in Iraq and the killing of two innocent Korean civilians that was part of the overall antiwar sentiment shared by others around the world at that time. While I'm grateful for the freedom to express one's self I've learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and I'm deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted. I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused anyone by those words.”
