A Japanese daily says the North Korean currency revaluation that took place earlier this week for the first time in 17 years has thrown the communist nation into a state of confusion.

The Asahi Shimbun quoted a South Korean government official as saying Thursday that people across the North are protesting the currency reform measures. The official said the size and number of such protests have yet to be determined, adding that Seoul will continue to watch the situation closely.

The paper added that the currency reform has paralyzed goods transactions and that numerous restaurants have had to close their doors due to difficulties in setting prices.

The report said that, in particular, people who run their own businesses are likely to be the most vocal protesters of the currency reform move.