A government official has expressed regret over North Korea's cut of the daily number of South Korean tourists to Mount Geumgang but has declined comment on the reason.

The official on Monday said the tour was doing well before the sudden decision, adding he hopes business will normalize soon and that the two sides should cooperate more closely.

The North on the same day told Hyundai Asan Corporation, which operates the Mount Geumgang tour, that it will only allow 600 South Koreans a day to visit Mount Geumgang starting Thursday.

Reports say the North is apparently upset over the recent dismissal of the company's vice president, Kim Yoon-kyu.