South Korea’s President Apologizes for Bag Uproar as He Seeks to Reset Agenda

  • South Korean leader holds first news conference in two years
  • President pledges to set up agency to tackle low birth rate

Yoon Suk Yeol

Photographer: Jung Yeon-Je/Pool/Getty Images

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued his first apology over his wife receiving a luxury handbag under questionable circumstances, highlighting his efforts to set a new course for his government after a stinging defeat in parliamentary elections.

In his first news conference in about two years, Yoon pledged Thursday to improve livelihoods and create a new ministry to boost the country’s birthrate, which is ranked lowest in the world and threatens long-term economic prospects.