North Korea’s nuclear program: A timeline
North Korea conducted its fourth underground nuclear test Wednesday, detonating what the government said was its first hydrogen bomb, a device significantly more powerful than those used in previous tests.
A look at North Korea’s nuclear program:
1976-81: Begins development using SCUD-B missile from the Soviet Union and launchpad from Egypt.
1984: First SCUD-B missile test firing.
1988: Operational deployment of SCUD-B and SCUD-C missiles.
1990: First Rodong missile test firing.
1998: Operational deployment of Rodong missiles, which have a range of 1,300 kilometers. Firing of Taepodong-1 missile, which North Korea says was a satellite launch.
2005: North Korea announces possession of nuclear weapons and its withdrawal from six-party talks aimed at ending its atomic program.
July 2006: Taepodong-2, Rodong and SCUD missiles test firings.
October 2006: Korean Central News Agency announces “a successful nuclear test.”
2007: Operational deployment of Rodong missiles.
April 2009: Firing of Taepodong-2 missile, which North Korea says was satellite launch. United Nations strengthens sanctions and North Korea responds by withdrawing from six-party nuclear disarmament talks.
May 2009: North Korea carries out second nuclear test.
July 2009: Test-firing of SCUD and Rodong missiles.
December 2011: North Korean leader Kim Jong Il dies, clearing way for son Kim Jong Un to take power.
April 2012: North Korea says Unha-3 rocket launch failed.
December 2012: North Korea launches Unha-3 rocket that puts its first satellite into space.
February 2013: North Korea conducts third underground nuclear test.
August 2013: North Korea reported to have restarted nuclear reactor to produce plutonium.
May 2015: North Korea claims to have tested a submarine— launched missile; says it developed technology to mount nuclear warhead on a missile.
July 2014: North Korea conducts series of missile tests ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Seoul.
September 2015: North Korea threatens nuclear attack against U.S. and reaffirms its main reactor is operational. South Korean President Park Geun Hye says North would “pay a price” for fourth test.
December 2015: Kim Jong Un says North Korea is “ready to detonate” a hydrogen bomb.
January 2016: North Korea says it successfully tests hydrogen bomb.
This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 3:28 AM with the headline "North Korea’s nuclear program: A timeline."