SKorean leader apologies for killings

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun apologized Thursday for the killings by police and troops of more than 800 citizens in the early months of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The then-government of President Rhee Syng-man had at least 870 people shot in Ulsan in the country's southeast in August 1950, three months after the outbreak of the Korean War following the communist North's invasion.

Those killed were members of an organization known as Bodoyeonmaeng, formed by the government with people who had past records of left-wing activity and part of a government drive to clean the country of communism.

As the North invaded, however, the government feared the organization's members might collaborate with the invaders.

"As president, I sincerely apologize for the illegal acts the then-state authority committed," Roh Moo-hyun said in a video message to a memorial service for the dead in Ulsan, 257 miles southeast of Seoul, according to the presidential Blue House.

"I also offer words of apology to all victims of abused state power, and their family members. We should take this as a lesson so as to prevent this kind of incident from happening again," he said.

In late November, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission announced the outcome of its investigation into the massacre, and recommended that the state apologize.