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.

Although Yoon acknowledged his “shortcomings and lack of virtue,” he only indicated that “communication protocols” with the first lady hadn’t been properly observed when pressed on