North Korea is planning to celebrate its 60th anniversary with a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang.
North Korea is planning to celebrate its 60th anniversary with a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang.
Reports say the parade will be the largest the North has ever staged, with lots of military hardware on display.
Reports say the parade will be the largest the North has ever staged, with lots of military hardware on display.
Reclusive leader Kim Jong-il is expected to attend, and the parade will be watched closely because of speculation about his health.
Reclusive leader Kim Jong-il is expected to attend, and the parade will be watched closely because of speculation about his health.
The anniversary comes amid an impasse in international efforts to urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme.
The anniversary comes amid an impasse in international efforts to urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme.
Health concerns
Health concerns
On Monday, North Korea's state-run television channel KRT showed footage of the North's cabinet holding a large indoor gathering to mark the anniversary.
On Monday, North Korea's state-run television channel KRT showed footage of the North's cabinet holding a large indoor gathering to mark the anniversary.
The cabinet released a statement, picked up by monitors in Seoul, saying that North Korea had a powerful army that would "mercilessly punish invaders".
The cabinet released a statement, picked up by monitors in Seoul, saying that North Korea had a powerful army that would "mercilessly punish invaders".
According to South Korean media, the main parade on Tuesday will be the largest ever staged by its northern neighbour.
According to South Korean media, the main parade on Tuesday will be the largest ever staged by its northern neighbour.
"The North probably wants to boost the image of its military might in order to cement unity within the country and secure a better position in the denuclearisation negotiations," a South Korean government source told JoongAng Ilbo newspaper.
"The North probably wants to boost the image of its military might in order to cement unity within the country and secure a better position in the denuclearisation negotiations," a South Korean government source told JoongAng Ilbo newspaper.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is notoriously reclusiveMilitary experts usually watch these parades to see if North Korea will unveil any new weapons systems.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is notoriously reclusiveMilitary experts usually watch these parades to see if North Korea will unveil any new weapons systems.
But this time foreign observers will be particularly keen to note whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-il makes an appearance.
But this time foreign observers will be particularly keen to note whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-il makes an appearance.
The future direction of North Korea is tightly linked to the personality of the country's reclusive leader.
The future direction of North Korea is tightly linked to the personality of the country's reclusive leader.
Mr Kim has not been seen in public since early last month, giving rise to speculation he could be seriously unwell.
Mr Kim has not been seen in public since early last month, giving rise to speculation he could be seriously unwell.
He has been known to disappear from public view for extended periods before, and has always returned eventually, but this time the rumours of ill health have been given added impetus by news that a team of Chinese doctors was recently summoned to examine him.
He has been known to disappear from public view for extended periods before, and has always returned eventually, but this time the rumours of ill health have been given added impetus by news that a team of Chinese doctors was recently summoned to examine him.
Food shortages
Food shortages
The celebrations are taking place amid rising tensions between Pyongyang and the international community.
The celebrations are taking place amid rising tensions between Pyongyang and the international community.
North Korea agreed in February 2007 to give up its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and diplomatic concessions, but the progress of the deal has been far from smooth.
North Korea agreed in February 2007 to give up its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and diplomatic concessions, but the progress of the deal has been far from smooth.
After a long delay, Pyongyang handed over details of its nuclear facilities in June 2008.
After a long delay, Pyongyang handed over details of its nuclear facilities in June 2008.
In return, it expected the US to remove it from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, which the US has yet to do, so the North now appears to be starting to reassemble its main nuclear plant.
In return, it expected the US to remove it from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, which the US has yet to do, so the North now appears to be starting to reassemble its main nuclear plant.
Meanwhile the World Food Programme estimates that North Korea is suffering from a serious food shortage.
Meanwhile the World Food Programme estimates that North Korea is suffering from a serious food shortage.
The North has relied on foreign assistance to help feed its 23 million people since its state-controlled economy collapsed in the mid-1990s.
The North has relied on foreign assistance to help feed its 23 million people since its state-controlled economy collapsed in the mid-1990s.
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