North Korea is accusing rival South Korea of using an illuminated frontline Christmas tower to engage in psychological warfare.

North Korean state media said on Monday that the lighting of the Christmas tree-shaped tower is because Seoul was humiliated by Pyongyang successfully putting a satellite into orbit on 12 December.

The UN and others called the launch a cover for a banned test of ballistic missile technology.

Pyongyang warned of unspecified consequences because of the tower. North Korea allows sanctioned churches, but many associate Christianity with foreign interference.

Seoul allowed Christians to light the tower for the first time in two years on Saturday.

Seoul last month cancelled what would have been its launch of a satellite from its territory because of technical difficulties.