South Korea dismantles 'Christmas tree' tower at centre of row with North
South Korea said it had dismantled a Christmas tree-shaped tower near the border with North Korea which had previously been used for a seasonal lights show that drew angry protests from the atheist regime in Pyongyang.
North Korea has repeatedly demanded the destruction of the 20-metre high steel tower on top of a military-controlled hill just 3km from the heavily-fortified border.
In the past, it has even threatened to shell the tower, which the South has allowed civilian groups to decorate with lights, including a giant illuminated cross at the top, over the Christmas season.
The defence ministry said it was dismantled for the sole reason that the 43-year-old structure had become unsafe.
"The decision was unrelated to inter-Korean relations. Safety was the main reason," a ministry spokesman said, adding that work to remove the tower had begun in August.
"There is no plan to replace it with a new one," he said.