South Korea destroys ‘propaganda’ tower near border with North

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/22/south-korea-north-tower-destroy-propaganda-seoul

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South Korea has pulled down a 43-year-old illuminated Christmas tower that North Korea viewed as a symbol of propaganda warfare, with officials saying the structure was unsafe.

The huge steel tower, known as Aegibong, was demolished last week and Seoul plans to build a park in its place, according to the defence ministry and city officials.

South Korea stopped lighting up the tower, near the city of Gimpo, in 2004 as relations with North Korea warmed during an era of reconciliation. But it allowed Christian groups to light the tower again in 2010 and 2012, as tensions escalated following two attacks that killed 50 South Koreans and a banned long-range rocket test by North Korea.

The tower, located about two miles from the border, sat on a peak high enough for North Koreans living in border towns to see it.

The news of the dismantling came three days after troops from the rival countries exchanged fire along the border, the second shootout in less than 10 days. There were no reports of casualties from either incident.

Earlier this month, there were signs of easing tensions after a high-profile delegation from the North visited the South and agreed to revive senior-level talks.

South Korean defence ministry officials denied media speculation that the tower was dismantled as a conciliatory gesture aimed at improving ties with Pyongyang.