North Korea History By fralevic Jan 4, 1968 North Korea captures USS Pueblo The USS Pueblo is a U.S. naval intelligence ship. IT was also known as te USS Colorado Feb 4, 1971 Kim Jong-il named Successor Kim Il-sung designates eldest son, Kim Jong-il as his successor. Jan 1, 1986 Nuclear Reactor Bcomes Operational North Korea's nuclear reactor in Yongbon is up and running