South Korea has halted the broadcast of a propaganda ratio program into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Seoul's defense ministry said Monday.

The ministry said in a statement that it suspended the "Voice of Freedom" broadcast as part of efforts to ease inter-Korean military tensions.

It marked the first halt to the radio program in 15 years after the ministry had resumed it in May 2010.

The South Korean military dismantled propaganda broadcast loudspeakers installed along the border with the DPRK in August.