So here’s what you’ve missed:
1945 – World War II occupation of Korea by Japan ends with Soviet Union controlling the North and the USA controlling the South.
1946 – Kim Il Sung installed as leader. Soviets withdraw later.
1950 – South becomes independent, triggering attack from the North. Korean War begins.
1953 – A cease-fire is declared, but a formal peace treaty never signed to this date.
1960 – North Korea grows under the leadership of Kim Il Sung.
1968 – USS Pueblo captured in North Korean waters.
1969 – USA’s spyplane shot down.
1980 – Kim Jong Il enters the spotlight, playing a strong leadership role under his father, Kim Il Sung.
1986 – After 7 years of assistance from the Soviets, NK starts it’s first 5MW nuclear reactor.
1991 – North and South admitted into the United Nations.
1992 – North refuses access to IAEA inspectors to suspected nuclear weapons production.
1993 – US President Bill Clinton denounces NK for “nuclear annihilation” threats.
1993 – Russia scraps agreement that it would aid NK if attacked.
1994 – Kim Il Sung dies, Kim Jong Il assumes leadership.
1995 – USA agrees to provide nuclear reactors that are less effective for creating plutonium.
1996 – Widespread famine kills millions.
1998 – NK fires a missile over Japan, alleging it was a satellite.
1998 – NK spy submarine found in SK, all crew dead.
2000 – A break in hostilities, SK president meets Kim Jong Il. Large prisoner exchange, families reunited after 50 years.
2001 – NK requests food aid after suffering worst drought in history.
2002 – USA president George W Bush adds North Korea to list of countries supporting state sponsored terrorism. The so called “Axis of Evil” comprised Iraq, Iran and North Korea.
2002 – North and South naval ships battle in Yellow Sea with casualties on both sides.
2002 – North Korea admits to secret nuclear weapons program. USA reacts with oil sanctions.
2003 – North Korea withdraws from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
2003 – Talks between NK, USA and China begin regarding nuclear ambitions. NK declares it has enough plutonium to construct 6 nuclear bombs.
2004 – 6 party talks (USA, China, NK, SK, Japan and Russia) repeatedly break down.
2005 – NK declares it has constructed weapons for self defence.
2005 – NK agrees to cease weapons productions in exchange for aid and security.
2006 – North Korea testfires serveral missiles. Also claims first nuclear weapons test.
2007 (Feb) – Talks resume, North agrees to shut down main reactor in exchange for fuel.
2007 (Aug) – Appeals for food aid after heavy flooding.
2007 (Oct) – North continues disabling nuclear facilities and commits to transparency.
2007 (Nov) – NK and SK leaders meet for first time in 15 years.
2008 (Jan) – USA accuses NK of failing to achieve deadline for transparency of nuclear program. China backs USA position.
2008 (Feb) – Newly elected SK president Lee Myung-Bak takes hardline stance on NK: No aid unless no nukes.
2008 (Apr) – North – South relations fall apart. North testfires more missiles.
2008 (Jun) – North finally declares nuclear assets.
2008 (Sep) – North restarts disabled reactor. USA removes North from “Axis of Evil” state sponsored terror list in exchange for further transparency.
2008 (Dec) – USA suspends aid, North slows down dismantling of weapons program. Kim’s health is in question as public appearances become rare.
2009 (Jan) – North cancels all military and political deals with South, citing hostility from SK.
2009 (Apr) – North launches an alleged communications satellite, believed to be cover for test of long range missile. The launch fails.
2009 (May) – North performs underground nuclear test. Denounces 1953 armstice treaty.
2009 (Jun) – Speculation that Kim Jong Il’s youngest son, Kim Jong Un will take over the family dynasty.
2009 (Aug) – Laura Ling and Euna Lee, two American-chinese journalists crossing into NK are freed from 12 year labour camp sentence by former US president Bill Clinton.
2009 (Nov) – NK redenominates its currency, causing major economic turmoil and skyrocketing fuel and food prices.
2010 (Jan) – NK calls for end to hostilities with US, denuclearization of Korea peninsula.
2010 (Mar) – SK warship “Cheonan” sinks mysteriously near NK/SK maritime border, killing 47 soldiers onboard.
2010 (May) – SK finds incontrovertible evidence that NK torpedo attacked the Cheonan, cuts all diplomatic and financial ties. North vehemently denies, threatening all-out war with South, all while using the attack for internal propaganda.
2010 (Jun) – North announces leadership reshuffle for September. Largely speculated to be the “coming out” party for Kim Jong Un.
This is a pretty watered down list of major events to come out of North Korea over the past 60 years. I encourage you to view the sources below, some quite exhaustive.
Source(s):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1132268.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_North_Korea_nuclear_program
http://timelines.ws/countries/KOREANORTH.HTML
Source: The Telegraph
