Kim Yo Jong, the sister of Kim Jong Un and a senior official of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, has announced that North Korean troops stationed along the border with South Korea have been placed on full combat alert.
The readiness of propaganda loudspeakers along the border has also been tested.
All of this suggests that Kim Jong Un may no longer be capable of governing and that his "Red Sister" could be preparing to replace him.
Such a power shift could bring dramatic changes to regional politics and even global affairs, particularly given North Korea's ties with Iran.
Kim Yo Jong is considered a hardline leader, even by North Korean standards.