South Korean defense officials say North Korea is deploying massive numbers of troops and arms near the capital of Pyongyang.
South Korea's defense ministry said in a report to Parliament Tuesday that the large numbers of soldiers, armored vehicles and artillery have been stationed near the Stalinist state's capital since mid-July.
The report said the deployment appears to be related to a meeting of key communist party delegates next month and the party's 65th anniversary on October 10.
North Korea-watchers say the massing of military assets could be for a parade or to provide security for the events.
Some analysts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Il will probably designate his youngest son Kim Jong Un as his successor at the September meeting, only the third such gathering since the communist state was founded in 1948.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.