N Korea furious at South's Christmas lights plan

South Korean military officer stands guard as Christians prepare a lighting ceremony of a tree near the border with the North in December 2010 Security was tight when the border Christmas 'tree' was lit last year

North Korea has warned South Korea of "unexpected consequences" if it lights up a Christmas tree-shaped tower near their tense border.

The North's state-run Uriminjokkiri website said it would amount to a form of "psychological warfare".

Seoul's annual tradition of lighting up a Christmas tree tower was suspended in 2003 following a warming of ties.

However, the South lit a tower last year as relations deteriorated between the neighbours.

The Associated Press quotes a defence ministry official as saying the South has agreed to allow Christian groups to light a further two towers this year.

The official says the towers will be located in the western, central and eastern parts of the border and security will be tight during the 15 days they are lit, beginning on 23 December.

Souring relations

The tree-shaped, 30 metre-high steel structure on Aegibong hill - some 3km (2 miles) from the border - was illuminated by thousands of small light bulbs last year.

It could be seen from the North's major city of Kaesong across the border, according to media reports.

Pyongyang has previously accused Seoul of using the tree to spread the Christian message to people inside the secular state.

Relations between the two Koreas have been tense for months.

South Korea blames North Korea for sinking one of its warships in March 2010 with the loss of 46 lives - a charge Pyongyang denies.

Tensions were further strained in November 2010 when North Korea shelled a Southern border island, killing four people.

More on This Story

Inside North Korea

Related Stories

More Asia stories

RSS

Features & Analysis

Elsewhere on the BBC

  • Hiking in Japan. Photographer: Azlan DuPree. Licensed under Creative CommonsHiking hot spot

    Check out Japan's stunning scenery by exploring the country's mountains, hills and volcanoes

Programmes

  • Justin CartwrightTalking Books Watch

    South African-born novelist Justin Cartwright on why he didn’t want to write about apartheid

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2011 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.