Key dates in North Korea’s quest for nuclear weapons

These are the key dates in North Korean history and its development of long-range missiles and nuclear weapons:

The test came as a surprise as leader Kim Jong-un, left, did not mention the Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons in his New Year’s speech. KCNA via KNS / AFP Photo

SEOUL // North Korea said it had carried out a hydrogen bomb test after seismologists detected a tremor near its main atomic test site.

These are the key dates in North Korea’s development of long-range missiles and nuclear weapons:

Late 1970s: North Korea starts working on a version of the Soviet Scud-B (range 300 km or 187 miles). Test-fired in 1984.

1987-92: North begins developing variant of Scud-C (500 km), Rodong-1 (1,300 km), Taepodong-1 (2,500 km), Musudan-1 (3,000 km) and Taepodong-2 (6,700 km) missiles.

1989: US satellite pictures reveal a nuclear reprocessing plant at North Korea's Yongbyon complex.

1994: The US comes close to war with North Korea over its removal of spent fuel rods from the Yongbyon reactor.

1998, August: North Korea test-fires its first long-range ballistic missile, a Taepodong-1, over Japan as part of failed satellite launch.

1999, September: North declares moratorium on long-range missile tests amid improving ties with US

2003: North Korea withdraws from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

2005: For the first time, North Korea states that it has nuclear weapons. Pyongyang also ends moratorium on long-range missile testing, blaming Bush administration's "hostile" policy

2006, July 5: North test-fires seven missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 which explodes after 40 seconds, triggering UN condemnation and sanctions.

October 9: North Korea carries out its first nuclear test, sparking international condemnation and more UN sanctions.

2007: North Korea agrees in February to scrap its nuclear facilities in return for economic aid and diplomatic benefits. In July, North Korea says it has closed down its main nuclear site.

2009, April 5: the North launches a long-range rocket and announces it will restart its Yongbyon complex despite UN condemnation.

May 25: North Korea conducts its second underground nuclear test, sparking tougher UN sanctions.

July 4: North test-fires seven ballistic missiles off its east coast.

2011, February 18: Satellite images show the North has completed a launch tower at its new west coast missile base at Tongchang-ri.

2012, April 13: Rocket is launched from Tongchang-ri and appears to have disintegrated soon after blastoff and fallen into the ocean, South Korean authorities say.

December 12: North Korea launches long-range rocket, which the international community condemns as a disguised ballistic missile test.

2013, February 12: North Korea conducts third and largest nuclear test so far, drawing added UN sanctions and sending military tensions on the Korean peninsula surging for months.

2015, May: North Korea says it successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile, but experts say the exercise fell far short of a full flight test.

December 3: Satellite images indicate North Korea is excavating a new tunnel at its main nuclear test site at Punggye-ri, US think tank says.

December 11: State media cites Kim Jong-Un as saying North Korea has developed a hydrogen bomb, but Washington says it doubts Pyongyang has a thermonuclear device.

2016, January 6: North Korea says it has detonated a hydrogen bomb.

* Agence France-Presse