North Korea missile tests: A timeline of events
North Korea has test-fired numerous rockets in recent years as it bids to create a massive nuclear arsenal.
Now the secretive regime claims to have conducted a successful test of a hydrogen bomb several times more powerful than an atomic bomb that can fit a missile.
In the past six months, the pariah state has fired several missile tests despite international condemnation, and significantly ramped up tension with the US.
Here is a timeline of events from 2017:
1st January: North Korea warns of launch
Just days before Donald Trump's inauguration as US president, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claims his country is close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile.
"Research and development of cutting edge arms equipment is actively progressing and ICBM rocket test launch preparation is in its last stage," he tells Korean TV.
12th February: 'Show of force' against US
A ballistic missile flies approximately 500 kilometres between the Korean peninsula and Japan, according to the South Korean military.
President Trump says his country "stands behind" its ally Japan, while the test is described as a "show of force" against US policy towards Pyongyang.
23rd February: US 'to expand' nuclear arsenal
President Trump pledges to expand the US's nuclear capacity to ensure it remains at the "top of the pack", claiming it has fallen behind.
5th March: Missile lands in South Korean waters
North Korea launches four banned ballistic missiles into waters off the east coast of South Korea, military officials say.
The missiles fly bout 620 kilometres, with three landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone.
8th March: China calls for restraint
China calls on North Korea to suspend nuclear and missile activities.
19th March: New "epoch making" engine tested
North Korean state media says the regime tested a new high-performance rocket engine.
Kim Jong-un describes the test as a "new birth" for his country's rocket industry, and later threatens to "accelerate" his nuclear programme.
5th April: Another missile launch
North Korea fires a ballistic missile into waters off the east coast of South Korea, according to military officials.
11th April: North Korea 'ready for war'
North Korea says it is "ready for war" with the US, while President Trump describes Kim as "looking for trouble".
This is followed a few days later by another failed missile test, after which Vice President Mike Pence warns that US strategic patience is "over".
25th April: Large drills on Korean border
Both North Korean and South Korean/US forces carry out large military drills on the peninsula's border.
A few days later, President Trump accuses North Korea of running the risk of a "major, major conflict".
The pariah state responds by publishing a video simulating a missile strike on the Capitol building in Washington.
May: Two weeks of tests
A North Korean missile test lands in the Sea of Japan on May 13.
An "unidentified projectile" and further missile are then launched on May 21 and 28 respectively.
3rd June: New sanctions imposed
The UN security council imposes fresh sanctions on North Korea for its repeated missile tests.
8th June: Several land-to-ship missiles launched
North Korea fires several land-to-ship missiles, according South Korea's military, flying about 200 kilometres.
4th July: North Korea launches ICBM
North Korea launches its first ICBM, capable of hitting "anywhere in the world".
28th July: North Korea launches latest missile
Less than a month later, North Korea launched another missile.
11th August: North Korea threatens missile strike on US-held Guam
Pictures emerge of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un being briefed on his military's plans to launch missiles in waters near the US Pacific territory Guam.
3rd September: North Korea hails 'perfect success' of H-bomb test
North Korea hails the success of a test of a nuclear weapon that can be loaded onto a missile.
Japan led condemnation after major tremors were recorded from a device several times more powerful than an atomic bomb.