♤ In December 2015 - US imposed new sanctions on North Korea over weapons proliferation, targeting the army's Strategic Rocket Force, banks and shipping companies.

♤ In November 2016 UN Security Council further tightend sanctions by aiming to cut one of North Korea's main exports, coal, by 60 per cent.

♤ China announced its plan to implement the UN sanctions against North Korea agreed earlier this month, banning imports of coal, minerals and sea food.

♤ In January 2018 First talks in two years between North and South Koreas show signs of a thaw after heightened tension. The North said it will send a team to the Winter Olympics in the South.