A church’s plan to light up a Christmas tree on top of a hill in
South Korea along the tense border with the North could provoke an
attack by the communist state.
On Monday the South conducted a live-fire artillery drill on
Yeonpyeong island, which was shelled last month by North Korea, ABC News
reports.
The North forswore retaliation despite previously vowing a deadly response to the South’s drill.
But officials are now concerned the Christmas tree could become a target.
“Marines are maintaining the highest level of alertness around the
hill,” a defence ministry spokesman said, citing the North’s continued
threats to strike border propaganda facilities.
The 155-metre hill, about three kilometres from the border, is within range of North Korean guns.
Seoul agreed to stop the annual illumination ceremony in 2004 after a deal was reached to halt cross-border propaganda.
The communist North had accused the South of displaying the Christmas
lights in an effort to spread religion among its citizens and
soldiers.
SIC: CTH/ASIA