South Korea's Blue House on Friday condemned recent remarks by U.S. ambassador Harry Harris on a possible resumption of inter-Korean tourism as "very inappropriate," in the latest escalation of a growing spat between the two countries over Seoul's plans to expand inter-Korean tourism.

Responding to a question from NK News at a press briefing on Thursday, Ambassador Harris said that any revival of inter-Korean tourism -- proposed by South Korean President Moon Jae-in at a new year's press conference earlier in the week -- would need to be the subject of consultation between the allies.