Timeline: North Korea - Countdown to a standoff

 Reuters 7 hours ago 

(Reuters) - In North Korea's effort to become a nuclear power capable of striking the United States, leader Kim Jong Un has telegraphed what his scientists and weapons experts are achieving. Over the past two years, the country has moved from a fledgling nuclear program to possessing the technology to at least strike the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.

Most Western experts accept that North Korea is close to putting a nuclear warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can reach the continental United States, but this has not been independently verified.

Here are 10 of the important steps highlighted by North Korea's state-owned media.

- Jan. 6, 2016

After four years in power, Kim Jong Un says his country can produce a hydrogen bomb, the first step toward a nuclear weapon that could target the United States. The nation tests a device, but Western experts are not convinced it is a genuine hydrogen bomb.

- Feb. 7, 2016

North Korea sends up a satellite. The United States calls this a disguised test of an engine powerful enough to launch an ICBM.

- March 9, 2016

North Korea claims it can miniaturize a nuclear device to fit onto a missile.

- March 15, 2016

North Korea says it successfully tested the nose cone of a missile that re-entered the earth's atmosphere after a long flight.

- May 6, 2016

After nearly 40 years, Kim hosts a congress of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, saying his country is a responsible nuclear state that will not use nuclear weapons first unless its sovereignty is threatened. He pledges to push forward with both nuclear armament and economic development.

- June 23, 2016

North Korea says it has successfully tested an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM), with a range of 2,000 to 3,400 miles. Kim Jong Un claims the country can now attack "Americans in the Pacific operation theater," including the territory of Guam.

- Sept. 9, 2016

North Korea conducts its fifth and largest nuclear test on the anniversary of the country's founding. It says it has mastered the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile.

- April 15, 2017

North Korea reveals a new ICBM design, displaying the missiles at a military parade to mark the birthday of founding leader Kim Il Sung. Within three months, the missiles are tested.

- July 4, 2017

North Korea tests an ICBM for the first time, saying it can launch a missile that can reach the continental United States. The missile, Hwasong-14, is tested again three weeks later, this time in a night launch.

- Aug. 8 2017

North Korea's army threatens to fire missiles toward Guam in an "enveloping fire." The message comes hours after President Donald Trump warns Pyongyang that it will be "met with fire and fury" if North Korea does not stop threatening the United States.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park and James Pearson, Writing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Editing by Derek Caney and Sara Ledwith)