2PM leader quits group

Boy band 2PM leader Park Jae-beom has quit the group after coming under heat for controversial remarks he made regarding Korea on his MySpace account before his debut.

The 22-year-old singer had been in hot water since the weekend after fans discovered comments including "I hate Koreans" he made between 2005-2007 to a friend on the social networking website.

"I deeply apologize to everyone, especially my fans who loved me so much. I am quitting 2PM as of today," Park announced on 2PM's online fan cafe on Tuesday noon.

"I am sorry to say my last goodbye through this message. I don't think I will be able to meet my fans on stage anymore because I feel so bad," Park explained.

He also mentioned the members of his group, saying: "My boys at 2PM, I apologize to them deeply too... For not being able to support them but instead leave a burden on their shoulders. But I'm hoping they will do even better."

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr