No Christmas tree, no Christmas tree

South Korea is to light three Christmas tree-shaped towers dangerously close to its Northern border on December 23. The towers will be lit for 15 days, celebrating not only Christmas, but also freedom of expression and religion; a gesture which North Korea’s state-run Uriminjokkiri website claims is an example of psychological warfare.

The tradition underwent a 7-year suspension after tensions between neighbours subsided slightly in 2003, but was reintroduced last year - a supposed reaction to the torpedoing of a South Korean warship and attack launched on a South Korean island, which were blamed on, but denied by, North Korea.

The proposed display has been threatened with “unexpected consequences” by North Korea, which believes it to be an act of propaganda. Undeterred, South Korea is continuing with plans for the festive illumination, securing the towers with an added military presence.

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