Well, not really. But North Korea has issued a stern threat to their southern neighbours, warning of “unexpected consequences” if South Korea initiates “psychological warfare” by lighting up any Christmas trees near the north/south border. As opposed to, you know, the actual warfare initiated by the north when they shelled one of the southern islands.

Seriously, though, the state-run Uriminjokkiri (“Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea”) website referred to the Christmas trees that the South has traditionally lit along the border as “psychological warfare,” and attempt at spreading Christian messages to the atheist North.

The tree-lighting practice was suspended between 2003 and 2010, when the two Koreas were relatively friendly, but following the South’s accusing the North of sinking a warship and shelling an island (both resulting in loss of life), relationships deteriorated, leading to the 30-metre-high Christmas towers being relit over Christmas last year.

North Korean security is expected to tighten up around the 15 days that the towers will be lit, starting on the 23rd of December.

So, you know, in the event that you thought your Christmas arguments were ridiculous.

[Source: WIRED]