The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula began in the early 1990s.The following is a chronology of key events surrounding the issue since 1991:

1991:

Dec.31--The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)and South Korea sign a joint declaration on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

1992:

Jan.30--The DPRK and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)sign comprehensive safeguards agreement in Vienna.

Feb.19--In the sixth round of inter-Korean talks,the prime ministers of the DPRK and South Korea respectively read out an agreement on reconciliation,non-aggression,exchanges and cooperation,and a joint declaration on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.The two documents were approved by DPRK leader Kim Il-sung and South Korean President Roh Tae-woo.

1993:

March 12--The DPRK announces that it would withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)in three months,citing the continuance by South Korea and the United States of their "Team Spirit"joint military maneuvers and the IAEA's demand that the DPRK's military facilities be subject to inspection.The DPRK joined the NPT in late 1985.

June 2-11--The DPRK and the United States hold formal talks for the first time in New York.In a joint statement issued at the end of the fourth round of talks,the two sides agree on assurances against the threat and use of force,including nuclear weapons,on peace and security in a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula,including impartial application of full-scope safeguards,mutual respect for each other's sovereignty,and non-interference in each other's internal affairs,and on support for the peaceful reunification on the Korean Peninsula.The DPRK announces the suspension of its withdrawal from the NPT.

July 14-19--The DPRK and the United States hold their second formal talks in Geneva.The DPRK agrees to have dialogues with the IAEA as soon as possible and the United States says it would help the DPRK reconstruct its nuclear reactors.

1994:

July 8-Aug.12--The DPRK and the United States hold their third formal talks in Geneva.In a joint statement the DPRK agrees to replace the existing graphite-moderated nuclear reactors with light-water reactors.The United States promises to provide a light-water reactor and alternative energy to the DPRK.

Oct.21--The DPRK and the United States sign Framework Agreement in Geneva.Under the accord,the DPRK agrees to freeze its existing nuclear program in exchange for the construction of one 2,000-megawatt light-water reactor or two 1,000-megawatt ones by the United States within 10years.Before the completion of the light-water project,the United States and other countries would provide heavy oil to the DPRK for energy compensation.

2002:

Oct.3--US presidential special envoy James Kelly visits the DPRK.

Oct.7--A DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesperson says that during his visit Kelly raised "issues of concern"that include "missile production and sales,nuclear program,conventional armed forces,and human rights record"to exert pressure on Pyongyang.

Oct.20--US Secretary of State Colin Powell says the DPRK admitted to Kelly its nuclear program and "blamed us for their actions."The Bush administration considers the 1994nuclear accord between the United States and the DPRK effectively dead.

Nov.14--Executive members of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO),an international consortium administering the 1994nuclear agreement with the DPRK,meet in New York and decide to suspend fuel oil shipments to the DPRK as of December.

Nov.29--The IAEA Board of Governors adopts a resolution that requires the DPRK to give up its nuclear program,disclose all related facilities and accept IAEA inspections.The resolution also requires the DPRK to provide before March 2003files on DPRK's position on nuclear program so that the IAEA could decide further actions.

Dec.22--The DPRK declares that it has "started the work of removing the seals and monitoring cameras from the frozen nuclear facilities for their normal operation to produce electricity."

2003:

Jan.10--DPRK Ambassador to the United Nations Pak Gil Yon says that the IAEA and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)have become tools of the United States against the DPRK.As a result,the DPRK decides to withdraw from the treaty.

Jan.25--DPRK Foreign Ministry declares that the DPRK is against any move to internationalize the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and urges the United States to talk directly with the DPRK.

Feb.12--The IAEA decides to refer the nuclear issue of the DPRK to the UN Security Council.

April 23-25--Thanks to efforts by China and the international community,China,the DPRK and the United States hold three-way talks in Beijing on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.