North Korea appears to be preparing to hold a huge military parade in Pyongyang the day before the Pyeongchang Olympics begin, as it has newly designated Feb. 8 as Korean People's Army foundation day, according to both North and South Korean news sources.

Yonhap News Agency quoted a South Korean government source as saying that a rehearsal is being held at Mirim airfield in Pyongyang for a military parade, with the mobilization of about 13,000 North Korean soldiers and around 200 pieces of military equipment.

But the military source told the South Korean news agency that missiles have not been spotted at the North Korean airfield where the rehearsal is under way.

(Korea Media)

The anniversary of the founding of the North Korean army was previously marked on April 25, the day in 1932 when Kim Il Sung established the first revolution army.

However Monday, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of ruling the Worker's Party announced that Feb. 8 will be marked as the date that the Korean People's Army was founded, as that is the day in 1948 that country founder Kim began a transformation that culminated in the establishment of the KPA, North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency reported.

Feb. 8 is a "historic day when the Korean People's Revolutionary Army developed into the regular revolutionary armed forces to declare the birth of the KPA," KCNA quoted the ruling Workers' Party as saying.

Pyongyang is expected to hold various events on the new anniversary every year, beginning with Feb. 8 this year, the day before the Winter Olympics begin in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

North Korean recently announced plans to send 22 athletes as well as 24 coaches and officials to the Pyeongchang Olympics, which will be held through Feb. 25.