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South Korea building giant Christmas tree on border to annoy North

Pyongyang warns Christmas tree is incitement to war

South Korea's tree is so tall it can be seen from the other side of border
South Korea's tree is so tall it can be seen from the other side of border Credit: Photo: Reuters

North Korea has reacted in a most un-festive fashion to the announcement that a tower in the shape of a huge Christmas tree is to be erected on the South Korean side of the border.

In comments reported by the state-run KCNA news agency, the Korean Council of Religionists said placing a Christmas tree on the top of Aegibong, a hill that can be seen for many miles inside North Korea, is a "criminal" act that is an incitement to war.

The council, which is North Korea's state-controlled religious organisation, claims the South Korea-based Christian Council of Korea is using religion to encourage a military conflict.

It added that the CCK would be held accountable for any escalations if it goes ahead and illuminates the 30-foot tower.

The South Korean organisation told Yonhap news agency that the tower is a symbol of their hopes for peace on the Korean peninsula and insisted that the illumination ceremony will go ahead as planned on December 23.

The Christmas symbol will stand on the same site as a 65-foot tower that was first built on the hill in 1971 and subsequently modified to resemble a Christmas tree.

Pyongyang declared the tower to be a "provocative display of psychological warfare" and threatened to use artillery fire to destroy it.

Earlier this year, the South Korean military dismantled the tower on the grounds that it was in a poor state of repair and dangerous.

The CCK applied to the South Korean government to erect the replacement tower, which will only be in place until January 6. Seoul granted permission on the grounds of religious freedom.

Tensions on the border remain high and South Korean government officials say their forces are on alert for any "provocations" that the North might attempt over the Christmas and New Year seasons.

Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, has visited military units taking part in winter manoeuvres, state media reported on Friday.

Mr Kim was briefed on the drills and oversaw a live-fire exercise before ordering officers to "accelerate efforts to complete preparations to fight."