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
The US announced Monday that it intends to strengthen sanctions meant to stifle foreign funding for DPRK’s nuclear weapons program and the lavish lifestyles of its leader and top officials. Emphasis was placed on required cooperation from China, who is accused of “filling in” when sanctions are strengthened against the North. The sanctions, of course, are in place in the wake of conclusive investigation into the sinking of the Cheonan in March by a North Korean torpedo, killing 46 South soldiers.
