North Korea Warns South Against Christmas Tree Towers At Border

BBC News reported Sunday that Christmas tree shaped towers have become the latest point of contention between North and South Korea. A tree shaped 30 meter high steel structure illuminated by thousands of small lights had traditionally been set up by South Korea on Aegibong hill, two miles from the North Korean border. However when relations between the two Koreas began to thaw in 2003, the tradition was ended.  Tensions between North and South began to grow again last year, and last December South Korea again lit the tree amidst tight security.  This year, South Korea plans to again light the tree shaped tower and to also allow Christian organizations to light two additional towers along other parts of the border. However a North Korean state-run website warns the South of "unexpected consequences" if it goes through with the planned Dec. 23 tree lightings.  North Korea said the trees would amount to a form of psychological warfare.