The former joint president of Hyundai Asan Corporation says he hopes the Mount Geumgang tour will return to normal as soon as possible.

Kim Yoon-kyu on Wednesday also said he is perplexed over media reports of his alleged dismissal for embezzlement, saying he never saw the company audit nor has he had the chance to explain himself.

North Korea on Monday told the company, which operates the tour, that it will halve the number of South Korean visitors to the North's scenic mountain to 600 a day in protest of Kim's dismissal.

Kim said he received treatment for facial paralysis and did not meet anyone important during his trip to China from August 19th to 30th.

The company retained Kim as vice chairman in light of his contributions to the tour.