This fourth variation differs only very slightly from the previous variation. It was issued from the 1960's until the change of the design of the medal in c1974. The "tells" are; In orange, no recess on the suspension "loop" and in red, A diagonal end to the first character of the first word.
This second type of Medal For Military Merits shows a more modern warfare prepared DPRK, with an semi-automatic weapon replacing a bolt-action rifle and the introduction of armoured and aerial units. This variation of this type of Medal is alike the previous variation abundant on the market. The difference between this and the later variation is very small.
This second and I believe current variation of the Type 2 Medal For Military Merits has had a slight change to decrease its weight (and therefore the resources needed to produce it). The "tell" is on the reverse where the raised inscription is now slightly higher up the reverse and consists of finer text.
Here is another Type 2 variation. This particular variant is quite crude and there is a swirling hairline on them all which I have tried to highlight in the third picture.