Gangnam Style, Psy Anti-American? Apologizes for Participating in U.S. Protests, Raps 'Kill Those Yankees,' Smashes American Tank in South Korea [LISTEN]

Psy, the K-pop sensation made infamous for the viral hit "Gangnam Style," recently apologized for participating in anti-U.S. protests several years ago after some fans criticized him for being "anti-American." The South Korea native went under fire after an audio recording and images recently surfaced on the web, featuring the rapper perform at a 2002 concert protesting the U.S. military presence in South Korea during the early stages of the Iraq war. In a song entitled "Dear American" - featuring the South Korean metal band N.E.X.T. - Psy sings about "killing those fu##ing Yankees... slowly and painfully." Now a decade later, Psy has issued an official apology to the citizens of the U.S. in "Rolling Stone" magazine, insisting that the rather hateful demonstrations were his initial "deep emotional reactions" to the blossoming war in Iraq.

Take a listen to "Dear American" below, where Psy can be heard rapping:

"Kill those fu##ing Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives/Kill those fu##ing Yankees who ordered them to torture/Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law and fathers/Kill them all slowly and painfully."

During another South Korean demonstration concert in 2004, Psy allegedly smashed a camouflaged American model tank onstage in front of a crowd of 37,000. The concert was in protest against the killing of popular Korean missionary Kim Sun-il, who was beheaded in Iraq by militants.

Psy recently released this statement through his publicist:

"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. The song I was featured in-eight years ago-was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in Iraq and the killing of two Korean schoolgirls 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 by those words.

I have been honored to perform in front of American soldiers in recent months-including an appearance on the Jay Leno show specifically for them-and I hope they and all Americans can accept my apology. While it's important that we express our opinions, I deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language I used to do so. In my music, I try to give people a release, a reason to smile. I have learned that thru music, our universal language we can all come together as a culture of humanity and I hope that you will accept my apology."

Even after the public apology, a petition remained circulating on the web to rescind PSY's invitation the National Building Museum's Christmas in Washington concert with President Obama this Sunday, Dec. 9. The White House has since taken it down. No official word from the Prez yet.

What do Mstarz think about Psy's past "anti-American" sentiment?