Even a Christmas tree
divides the two Koreas

SEOUL – South Korea has decided to authorize some religious groups to raise a Christmas tree near the border line, close at hand to North Korean soldiers, despite Pyongyang threatening “unpredictable consequences”.

The Ministry of Defense of Seoul has approved the request of these groups to raise a metal tower 29 meters high in the shape of a fir and adorned with lights, on a military hill about three kilometers from the border. “We gave the authorization in the name of freedom of expression and religion for our people and for the freedom of worship of our soldiers,” a spokesman said pointing out that the soldiers will protect the installation from every North Korean attack, he specified. The tree will be illuminated from December 23rd to January 6th.

Thousands of lights that shine within reach of the military. Pyongyang has indeed defined the project “an attempt at psychological war” against the north and has threatened the south with retaliation if the tree is lit.

(12 December 2011)