South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol issued a rare public apology Thursday in an attempt to quell escalating political scandals involving claims of election interference and alleged influence peddling by first lady Kim Keon-hee.

The 140-minute press conference was Yoon’s most direct response since the scandal erupted on Oct. 31, when the opposition Democratic Party (DP) released recordings suggesting Yoon discussed a political nomination with a power broker — claims the presidential office initially denied.