Timeline of North Korea nuclear standoff

2002
Oct North Korea admits having a secret nuclear arms program.

Dec 11 The US finds North Korean-made Scud missiles on a ship bound for Yemen, but is later forced to allow the ship to go, saying neither country has broken any law.

Dec 26 UN confirms that 1,000 fuel rods have been moved to a nuclear reactor in Yongbyon.

Dec 27 North Korea expels two IAEA nuclear inspectors and says it is plans to reopen a reprocessing plant, which could start producing weapons grade plutonium within months.

2003
Jan 2 South Korea asks China to use its influence with North Korea to try to reduce tension over the nuclear issue, and two days later Russia offers to help.

Jan 6 The IAEA passes a resolution demanding that North Korea readmit UN inspectors and abandons its nuclear program or face possible action by the UN Security Council.

Jan 10 North Korea announces it will withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Feb 12 The IAEA finds North Korea in breach of nuclear safeguards and refers the matter to the UN Security Council.

Feb 24 North Korea fires a missile into the sea between South Korea and Japan.

March 10 North Korea fires a second missile into the sea between South Korea and Japan in as many weeks.

April 23 Talks begin in Beijing between the US and North Korea, hosted by China.

April 28 US Secretary of State Colin Powell says North Korea made an offer to US officials, during the talks in Beijing, to scrap its nuclear program in exchange for major concessions from the United States.

Aug 1 North Korea agrees to six-way talks on its nuclear program with South Korea, the US, Japan, China and Russia.

Aug 27-29 Six-nation talks in Beijing on North Korea's nuclear program fail. Delegates agree to meet again.

Oct 30 North Korea agrees to resume talks on the nuclear crisis, after saying it is prepared to consider the US offer of a security guarantee in return for ending its nuclear program.

Dec 9 North Korea offers to "freeze" its nuclear program in return for a list of concessions from the US. It says that unless Washington agrees, it will not take part in further talks. President George W Bush says the program must be totally dismantled.

2004
Feb 25 Second round of six-nation talks end without breakthrough.

June 23 Third round of six nation talks held in Beijing, with the US making a new offer to allow North Korea fuel aid if it freezes then dismantles its nuclear programs.

July 2 US Secretary of State Colin Powell meets the North Korean Foreign Minister, in the highest-level talks between the two countries since the crisis erupted.

Aug 16 North Korea says it will not attend a working meeting ahead of the next round of six-party talks on its controversial nuclear program, saying the US was "not interested in making the dialogue fruitful".

2005
Feb 10 North Korea says it is suspending its participation in the talks over its nuclear program blaming the Bush administration's intention to "antagonize, isolate and stifle it at any cost".

May 1 North Korea fires a short-range missile into the Sea of Japan, on the eve of a meeting of members of the international Non-Proliferation Treaty.

May 11 North Korea says it has completed extraction of spent fuel rods from Yongbyon, as part of plans to "increase its nuclear arsenal".

July 9 North Korea says it will rejoin nuclear talks, as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice begins a tour of the region.

July 12 South Korea offers the North huge amounts of electricity as an incentive to end its nuclear weapons program.

July 25 Fourth round of six-nation talks begins.

Aug 7 Those talks deadlock and a recess is called.

2006
July 4 North Korea test-fires at least six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2.

July 5 North Korea test-fires a seventh missile.

SOURCE: BBC