The new Emperor, Akihito, offered his "deepest regrets" in 1990 to visiting South Korean President Roh Tae Woo.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Lesser Majesty

The president has called and spoken to them to express our deepest national regrets.

CNN: O'Keefe: 'A tragic day for the NASA family'

" O'Keefe then met with family members of the astronauts, and he said the president called them to offer the "deepest national regrets.

CNN: Bush: 'Our entire nation grieves' for astronauts