North Korea on Friday criticized South Korea’s new Defense Minister Kim Jang-soo for the first time since his inauguration nearly a month ago.

Pyongyang’s Rodong Shinmun denounced the defense minister for saying in his inaugural speech that the South Korean military will support Seoul’s efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue with strong force.

The official organ of the North Korean Workers' Party blasted Kim's remarks, saying he did not understand how peace on the Korean Peninsula will be achieved.

The newspaper also denounced the South Korean military, charging it with speeding up purchases and developing military equipment to revive the arms race of the past.