Military authorities say they predicted North Korea’s paramilitary would participate in the outdoor military parade instead of the regular Army during the ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the communist country’s founding.

A high-ranking military official said on Wednesday that most of the military equipment spotted at the rehearsal site in Pyongyang was ordinarily used by the North's reserve Army, the Worker-Peasant Red Guards. He noted it is not the first time the paramilitary has participated in the parade.

The official added that Kim Jong-il's absence from the ceremony was expected as he has not appeared in public since August 14th and rumors have been spreading that the leader may be seriously ill.

The official explained it is unusual for Kim to be absent from the event and is analyzing the matter from various angles.