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After threats from North Korea, Christian group drops border Christmas tree

North Korea has long regarded the Christmas presentation as an example of psychological warfare and had threatened to fire weapons at it.

By Ed Adamczyk
The previous tower, decorated to resemble a Christmas tree, at Aegibong, South Korea, was dismantled in October. Photo courtesy of Yonhap
The previous tower, decorated to resemble a Christmas tree, at Aegibong, South Korea, was dismantled in October. Photo courtesy of Yonhap

SEOUL, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- A plan to install a new Christmas tree-shaped tower near the border between North and South Korea will not go forward this year after threats from North Korea.

The Christian Council of Korea had maintained a 60-foot decorated tower since 1971. It was dismantled by the South Korean army in October, citing its lack of stability. The council then announced plans to construct a new, smaller tower, which was approved by the Seoul government.

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The previous annual displays, in which the tower was decorated to resemble a Christmas tree, could be seen from the city of Kaesong in officially atheist North Korea.

North Korea has long regarded the Christmas presentation as an example of psychological warfare and had threatened to fire weapons at it.

"Despite our sincere intention and motivation of peace and love, it (the new tower) has drawn unnecessary misunderstandings that it would trigger inter-Korean tension as well as confrontation between conservative and progressive groups, as well as jitters among local citizens," council official Hong Jae-chul said.

The new tower was to have been installed on a hill 1.9 miles from the border, and decorated for two weeks, beginning Dec. 23 as a peace gesture.

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North Korea warned the council of "catastrophic impact" if the plans went forward. The heavily militarized border between North and South Korea is particularly tense this year, with gunfire reported in October, talks regarding North Korea's nuclear missile program stalled and threats by the United Nations to have North Korea's human rights record investigated by the International Criminal Court.

Meanwhile, North Koreans are believed to be responsible for hacking into Sony Pictures and issuing threats over the release of the movie The Interview, a comedy in which two journalists are enlisted to kill North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. Sony has canceled the film's release.

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