South Korea says it was business as usual in North Korea, casting skepticism on media reports that Pyongyang was poised to make an announcement possibly concerning the health of its leader, Kim Jong Il, the Associated Press reported.
Japanese newspapers reported over the weekend that the communist nation had ordered its diplomats abroad to be on standby and planned to ban foreigners from entering the country ahead of an "important announcement."
Tokyo's Sankei newspaper reported the North planned to make the announcement Monday and it could be about Kim's death or a government change induced by a coup.
Kim Ho-nyeon, spokesman for Seoul's Unification Ministry in charge of monitoring North Korea said Monday there are no unusual signs regarding civilian exchanges between the South and the North.