| | May 1992 | DPRK accepts first of six irregular inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) |
| | February 1993 | Last of six irregular IAEA inspections accepted by DPRK |
| | October 1994 | U.S., DPRK agree to freeze nuclear program in exchange for light-water reactors and fuel oil to compensate for loss of electric power |
| | October 2002 | U.S. says DPRK admits to uranium enrichment program; Pyongyang claims right to develop weapons |
| | December 2002 | U.S. ends fuel oil deliveries to DPRK; Pyongyang removes IAEA monitors and restarts nuclear energy program |
| | January 2003 | DPRK announces withdrawal from Non-Proliferation Treaty while claiming it had no intention to develop nuclear weapons |
| | April 2003 | DPRK and United States agree to three-way talks with China |
| | August 2003 | First round of six-party talks held in Beijing |
| | February 2004 | Second round of six-party talks |
| | June 2004 | Third round of the six-party talks |
| | September 2005 | Second phase of the fourth round of six-party talks sets goal for verifiable denuclearization of Korean Peninsula in peaceful manner |
| | October 2006 | DPRK conducts first underground nuclear test |
| | February 2007 | Third phase of the fifth round of six-party talks agrees on first step toward denuclearization |
| | July 2007 | DPRK closes and seals nuclear facilities in Yongbyon |
| | September 2007 | In second phase of the sixth round, parties reaffirm commitment to improving bilateral relations and establishing diplomatic relations |
| | November 2007 | DPRK begins to disable three nuclear facilities in Yongbyon |
| | June 2008 | DPRK destroys the cooling tower at Yongbyon |
| | April 2009 | DPRK carries out rocket launch in contravention of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 and withdraws from talks |
| | May 2009 | DPRK conducts second underground nuclear test and short-range missile launch |
| | December 2011 | Supreme Leader of DPRK Kim Jong Il dies. His son, Kim Jong Un, assumes power |
| | April 2012 | DPRK satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 fails to enter orbit; U.S., Japan, ROK condemn the move, but DPRK insists launch is for peaceful purposes |
| | December 2012 | Unha-3 carries second Kwangmyongsong-3 to orbit, seen by West as disguised test of long-range ballistic missiles |
| | February 2013 | DPRK carries out third nuclear test |
