1989 US satellite pictures reveal a nuclear reprocessing plant at North Korea’s Yongbyon complex. Pyongyang denies the charge

1992 Pyongyang agrees to allow inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but over next two years refuses access to sites of suspected nuclear weapons production

1994 Signs “Agreed Framework” accord with US: North Korea will freeze nuclear programme in return for $5bn of fuel and two safe light-water nuclear reactors

1995 The US formally agrees to help to provide two nuclear reactors that will not produce weapons-grade plutonium

1998 A North Korean rocket is launched over Japan and into the Pacific. Pyongyang insists it fired a satellite, not a missile

2002 January North Korea named as part of US President Bush’s “Axis of Evil”. Pyongyang retorts that Mr Bush has not stopped far short of a declaration of war October US says North Korea admitted to a secret weapons programme, in violation of the 1994 agreement; halts oil shipments to Pyongyang December North Korea expels international inspectors

2003 January Pyongyang withdraws from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) August Six-nation talks between China, Japan, US, South Korea, Russia and North Korea fail to bridge the gap between Washington and Pyongyang October Pyongyang says it has enough material to make up to six nuclear bombs

2004 June Third round of six-nation talks ends inconclusively. North Korea pulls out of scheduled September round

2005 February Pyongyang claims to have nuclear weapons for self-defence September Fourth round of six-nation talks on nuclear programme concludes. North Korea agrees to give up its weapons in return for aid and security guarantees, but later demands a civilian nuclear reactor

2006 July North Korea test-fires missiles, including a long-range Taepodong 2

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