A Seoul-based group on North Korean human rights says that Pyongyang has reversed a decision to stop collecting rice from farmers to feed its military.

The group Good Friends says the North's Workers' Party announced in late October that it would stop the rice collections from farmers but withdrew the plan due to a worsening food shortage.

The group says that this month saw an increased number of North Korean military bases collect rice to feed soldiers.

Good Friends also says Pyongyang has ordered provincial authorities to put top priority on securing food for the military.

The group said that North Korean farmers had hailed the October announcement by the Workers' Party to stop collecting rice.