North Korea has blasted South Korea's decision to ask that world countries refrain from taking tours and investing in the North's Mount Geumgang resort.

The North's anti-South Internet portal www.uriminzokkiri.com posted a statement that says South Korea's measure will only become a joke to the international community.

It denounced the South's plan to speak to reporters from home and abroad about its demand and even send letters to foreign embassies as "sickening."

The statement read that as North Korea carries out a global tour program to Mount Geumgang, it has left open the opportunity for South Korea's Hyundai Asian to take part in the tours. It said that it has not discussed any legal action with Hyundai as of yet.

It further read that it would be more beneficial for the South to spend more time thinking of ways to allow tours to Geumgang via South Korea.