Cheong Wa Dae has openly reproached U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris for his remark on President Moon Jae-in's stated plans to resume inter-Korean cooperation, calling it "very inappropriate."
A presidential official told reporters that it's very inappropriate for the ambassador to make such a comment regarding the president of a hosting nation.
The official stressed that inter-Korean cooperation is a matter to be decided by the South Korean government, although Seoul is "always" in close consultation with Washington in making constant efforts for substantive progress in inter-Korean ties.
The unification ministry also said South Korea's policy on North Korea is a matter of sovereignty.
Those remarks came after Harris called on Seoul to make sure to consult closely with Washington about its engagement plans with the North to avoid any "misunderstandings."
South Korea is looking into the possibility of individual tours to North Korea as part of efforts to expand cross-border exchange.
Ministry spokesman Lee Sang-min said the U.S. has repeatedly made it clear through diverse channels that it respects South Korea's sovereignty related to its North Korea policy.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
