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North Korea captures USS Pueblo, a US navel intelligence ship
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February - Kim Il-sung designates eldest son, Kim Jong-il as his successor
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Research nuclear reactor in Yongbyon becomes operational
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North and South Korea join the United Nations.
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International Atomic Energy Agency accuses North Korea of violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and demands inspectors be given access to nuclear waste storage sites. North Korea threatens to quit Treaty.
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North Korea test-fires a medium-range Rodong ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan.
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Death of Kim Il-sung, succeeded by his son Kim Jong-il
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October - North Korea and the US sign an Agreed Framework under which Pyongyang commits to freezing its nuclear programme in return for heavy fuel oil and two light-water nuclear reactors.
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North Korea fires its first long-range missile
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First-ever Inter-Korean summit
