An ethnic Korean living in the United States has apologized for calling the late North Korean dictator Kim Il-sung "great leader."

In a statement Tuesday, Kim Kwang-nam, head of the Los Angeles chapter of the Advisory Council on the Democratic and Peaceful Unification of Korea, expressed regret for using improper words and expressions that offended the South Korean people.

He recently visited the North to deliver goats and fertilizer there with other ethnic Koreans from his city.

While visiting Kumsusan Memorial Palace, he wrote in the guestbook that "Great Leader Kim Il-sung has made life comfortable for his citizens."