South Korea on Tuesday condemned North Korea for criticizing Seoul's unification ministry for playing a major role in hampering inter-Korean ties, making clear that Pyongyang's nuclear and missile provocations must be halted first.

North Korea has recently rebuked the Ministry of Unification for being a "stumbling block" to the two Koreas' unification at a time when Seoul has warned it will strive to put more pressure and sanctions on the North to force it to give up its weapons of mass destruction.

The Seoul government lashed out at North Korea for making the preposterous claim, saying that Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs are the main culprits for sparking tension on the divided peninsula.

"A hike in inter-Korean tension comes as North Korea has ceaselessly pursued nuclear and missile development programs," a ministry official said. "North Korea should halt these provocations and take steps for denuclearization that can lead to better ties between the two sides."

In March, the U.N. Security Council imposed tougher sanctions on the North for its fourth nuclear test in January and long-range rocket launch in the following month.

Despite international condemnation, the North has fired off ballistic missiles and projectiles, including an intermediate-range Musudan missile launched in June, which theoretically can fly as far as the U.S. territory of Guam. (Yonhap)