Why North Korean soldiers are doing day-labors?

Recently, more North Korean soldiers have been appearing on day laboring markets, something that hasn't happened before. These soldiers get employed to fix the roofs and floors of other people's homes, or making coal briquette to earn money. This kind of labor used to be done by the poorest of North Korean citizens. However, the severe famine and economic depression has forced the once-elite soldiers out to day labor job markets. Only until a while ago, the soldiers used to be the ones with authority, giving orders to everybody. Now, they must do rough work to make money for daily meals. On the surface, North Korea keeps screaming about strong and prosperous nation, but they can't even feed their own soldiers anymore. Just what do they think they're doing?