NK Military Ready for Contingency Amid Currency Reform

The North Korean military is readying itself for a possible civil unrest amid the escalating signs of social unrest caused by the newly implemented currency reforms, Chosun Ilbo reported Saturday citing Russian news reports.

The measure came against the backdrop that there has been increasing criticism against the government's decision to implement a new currency system, which sets a restriction on the amount old money each individual can exchange with the new one.

Some North Koreans called the new measure, which makes excess old money one possesses practically useless, a "robber-like policy," it said.

Citing North Korea's internal sources, Chosun also said North Korean authorities issued an order to "shoot on the spot" against those who would attempt to cross the China-North Korea border without authorization.

"North Korean citizens don't have experience in carrying out group protests in the streets. So, if the situation aggravates, people are likely to favor defection to China over mass protest activities," it said citing an unnamed intelligence official.