North Korea is celebrating its 60th anniversary with reports of a large military parade in Pyongyang.
There is growing speculation about the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, 66, after he failed to attend a huge martial parade in Pyongyang.
Reclusive leader Kim Jong-il was expected to attend, and his appearance was set to be closely watched because of speculation about his health.
The military ranks marking the nation's 60th anniversary were instead overseen by North Korea's second most senior figure, Kim Yong-nam.
However, a report from the Japanese news agency Kyodo said he failed to make an appearance.
Rumours were already rife about the well being of the North Korean leader.
The anniversary comes amid an impasse in international efforts to urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme.
Recent reports, quoting an unnamed South Korean official based in Beijing, say he suffered a collapse in August.
So far the North's official media has made no mention of the parade, but on Monday, state-run television channel KRT showed footage of the North's cabinet holding a large indoor gathering to mark the anniversary.
The BBC's John Sudworth, in the South Korean capital Seoul, says such rumours are nothing new, and are often groundless.
But Mr Kim's absence from the parade - he was not seen in any of the TV coverage of the event - will prompt feverish speculation, especially given the symbolic importance of the anniversary. This is especially the case, our correspondent says, given that Mr Kim oversaw similarly triumphant occasions for North Korea's 50th and 55th anniversaries.
'Largest ever'
'Largest ever'
The anniversary comes amid an impasse in international efforts to urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme.
On Monday, state-run television channel KRT showed footage of the North's cabinet holding a large indoor gathering to mark the anniversary.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is notoriously reclusive
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 was to 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 reclusive
Military experts usually watch these parades to see if North Korea will unveil any new weapons systems.
But this time foreign observers were 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.
The report from the Kyodo news agency is not sourced, but says the information comes from Pyongyang.
Mr Kim 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.
Mr Kim 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.
Are you marking this anniversary? Are you in Pyongyang? What is happening in your area? Tell us your experience by filling in the form below.
Are you marking this anniversary? Are you in Pyongyang? What is happening in your area? Tell us your experience by filling in the form below.
