Gangnam Style Singer Sorry For Anti-US Songs

The South Korean rapper behind the viral smash hit Gangnam Style has apologised for using anti-American lyrics, ahead of a performance to be attended by President Barack Obama.

Psy issued the apology after reports surfaced in the US about his participation in two past performances critical of the US military in 2004.

The 34-year-old singer's Gangnam Style pop and dance video is now the most-watched video ever on YouTube, with more than 900 million views since it was first uploaded in July.

"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," Psy said in a statement.

"I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words," he added.

In one performance, which Psy said was from eight years ago, the rapper protested the deaths of two teenage South Korean girls who were run over by a US tank stationed in the country.

In a separate performance, Psy was critical of the US-led invasion of Iraq and its occupation, in which South Korean forces participated. He referred to killing "Yankees" who have been torturing Iraqi captives and their families "slowly and painfully".

Psy is scheduled to perform at the annual Christmas In Washington television special that will also be attended by Mr Obama and his family, the White House said.

Broadcaster TNT said Psy would still perform as planned.