Roh Moo-hyun, in an address to the nation Saturday morning, apologized to the South Korean people. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, in an address to the nation Saturday morning, apologized to the South Korean people while underscoring the need to establish reconciliatory politics in the country.

The televised address came one day after Roh was reinstated by the Constitutional Court.

South Korea's National Assembly passed the impeachment bill against Roh Moo-hyun on March 12, accusing him of illegal electioneering, involving of former aids' wrongdoing and incompetence in managing national economy.

He firstly delivered thanks to the South Korean people, the Constitutional Court and Cabinet members.

He admitted he had malpractice in the election fundraising involving his camp and his aids' illegal actions.

Roh Moo-hyun addresses to the nation Saturday morning. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

On the political side, Roh focused his some 20-minute address on realizing "reconciliatory politics" in the country.

"I will dedicate to pushing forward political reform behind the curtain in future," said Roh, which means the reinstated president will shy away from actively engaging in domestic political conflicts. "Political reform should be led and pushed by the National Assembly," he added.

Roh said that rather than be involved in confrontation of different interest groups, he will pay attention to other issues key to development and stability of his country.

"I know during the two-month period when I was away from my office, South Korean people and local media called on forming reconciliatory politics in the country. I will obey the willing of people," said the president.

"I will listen to opinions of the opposition parties in future as maximum as I can. I will concede when necessary," he said.

In the first one year of Roh's five-year term, the president had always been frustrated by the non-cooperation of the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

But the situation may change for the pro-government Uri Party defeated biggest opposition Grand National Party in the April 15 parliamentary general elections, becoming the biggest party in the assembly.

Roh's Saturday speech was viewed as he returned to his office with low profile. And what he has said was evaluated by local media that Roh will change his style to manage the state.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2004)