Giant Christmas tree lights up Korean border

by AJP Posted : December 24, 2012, 17:46Updated : December 24, 2012, 17:46
Church groups in South Korea have illuminated a giant Christmas tree-shaped tower near the border with North Korea for the first time in two years. The event has been banned since 2010 by the South Korean government due to concerns it could escalate tensions between the two countries.

The message at the top reads ‘peace in the whole world’, but a number of local residents are said to fear it will spark retaliation from the North.

Last year, North Korea warned of “unexpected consequences” if the tower was lit.

Despite the lighting though, analysis remain convinced that retaliation by the new leader is unlikely to occur at this juncture. The power of the new central government has already been established with the successful rocket test this past month and any new moves would probably be unnecessary.

아주경제 앤드류 이 기자=