December 11, 2012 16:11

Psy meets President Obama days after 'Kill Those Yankees' lyrics revealed

'Gangnam style' rapper criticised US foreign policy in 2002

Photo: PA

'Gangnam Style' rapper Psy has met with President Barack Obama just days after apologising for threatening to kill Americans in 2002.

The Korean musician was revealed to have expressed anti-American views at a performance 10 years ago following the death of two Korean girls who were run over by a US military vehicle leading to months of protests against the American government. Video footage from the time of Psy's protest showed him smashing a model of a US tank into the stage as a protest. Two years later he joined a group of other artists onstage to perform the song 'Dear America', written by South Korean metal band NEXT. The lyrics of the song are reported to include the lines: "Kill those Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives/Kill those Yankees who ordered them to torture/Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law, and fathers/Kill them slowly and painfully".

Despite this, Psy was a guest at the Christmas in Washington benefit held at the National Building Museum in the US capital on Sunday (December 9). The annual event, which raises money for Children's National Medical Center, was also attended by President Obama and his wife, Michelle with the President meeting Psy briefly and shaking his hand.

The rapper has since issued a full apology for his 2002 lyrics, saying that he: "understands the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world".

Diana Ross, American Idol winner Scott McCreery and Demi Lovato all performed at the Christmas In Washington event alongside Psy.

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