South Korean President Lee Jae-myung apologized to the public on Friday and pledged to be more humble as he tried to reverse a sharp drop in his approval rating and get his policy agenda back on track. According to Sina Finance, he said he would not send troops or military assets to the Strait of Hormuz and that South Korea would not participate in or intervene in the war.

Lee said he was sorry to people struggling in difficult conditions and that he had been caught off guard by the sudden surge of public disappointment and concern. His approval rating has fallen sharply over the past two months, and the latest poll released before his remarks showed support at a new low of 37%.

He also said talks with the United States over Seoul's $350 billion investment pledge had kept him awake at night, and that negotiations had reopened after he found parts of a nearly finalized deal unacceptable. Lee said South Korea would only move ahead with projects deemed commercially viable.