Chronology of North Korean missile development

North Korea on Sunday launched a rocket to put a satellite into orbit, in what the United States, Japan and South Korea view as a disguised test of its long-range Taepodong-2 missile.

North Korea on Sunday launched a rocket to put a satellite into orbit, in what the United States, Japan and South Korea view as a disguised test of its long-range Taepodong-2 missile.

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These are key dates in Pyongyang's missile development:

Late 1970s: Starts working on a version of the Soviet Scud-B (range 300 km or 187 miles). Test-fired in 1984.

1987-92: Begins developing variant of Scud-C (500 km), Rodong-1 (1,300 km), Taepodong-1 (2,500 km), Musudan-1 (3,000 km) and Taepodong-2 (6,700 km).

Aug 1998: Test-fires Taepodong-1 over Japan as part of failed satellite launch.

Sept 1999: Declares moratorium on long-range missile tests amid improving ties with US.

July 12, 2000: Fifth round of US-North Korean missile talks ends in Kuala Lumpur without agreement after North demands one billion dollars a year in return for halting missile exports.

Dec 2002: 15 North Korean-made Scuds seized on Yemen-bound ship.

March 3, 2005: North ends moratorium on long-range missile testing, blames Bush administration's "hostile" policy.

July 5, 2006: North test-fires seven missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 which explodes after 40 seconds.

July 15, 2006: UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1695, demanding halt to all ballistic missile activity and banning trade in missile-related items with the North.

Oct 9, 2006: North conducts underground nuclear test, its first.

Oct 14, 2006: Security Council approves Resolution 1718, demanding a halt to missile and nuclear tests. Bans the supply of items related to the programmes and of other weapons.

Feb 3, 2009: South Korean sources say North seems to be preparing long-range missile test.

Feb 24, 2009: State media says North preparing to launch satellite as part of peaceful space programme.

March 12, 2009: North notifies international shipping, aviation bodies of launch between April 4-8.

March 26, 2009: North says any UN discussion of its rocket launch would cause breakdown of nuclear disarmament talks.

April 5, 2009: North Korea launches a long-range rocket which flies over Japan and heads over the Pacific Ocean.