North Korea has drawn dismay and condemnation from its neighbours and the world after conducting its fifth and most powerful nuclear test yesterday, the latest in a series of nuclear and missile tests this year. Though Pyongyang faces the prospect of more and tougher sanctions, the latest test showed it could be making big strides in its march to becoming a nuclear power.

Pyongyang's pursuit of missiles and nuclear weapons

North Korea carried out its fifth and most powerful nuclear test yesterday, sparking condemnation from international leaders. Here are some key dates in its pursuit of long-range missiles and nuclear weapons.

October 2006: Korean Central News Agency announces "a successful nuclear test".

May 2009: North Korea carries out second nuclear test.

February 2013: The country conducts third underground nuclear test.

Jan 6, 2016: It conducts fourth nuclear test.

Feb 7, 2016: North Korea launches a long-range rocket that it says has successfully put a satellite into orbit.

Aug 24, 2016: The country successfully launches a ballistic missile from a submarine.

Sept 5, 2016: It fires three ballistic missiles about 1,000km, at least one of which entered Japan's air defence zone.

Sept 9, 2016: A shallow magnitude 5.3 earthquake detected near North Korea's nuclear test site, pointing to a fifth atomic test.

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