The history of North Korean nuclear missiles, all explained through graphics (Photo)

Since the 1960 ' s, North Korea has developed nuclear capabilities, shaking South Korea, a close ally of the United States.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has steadily increased the number of ballistic missile tests since he came to power after his father Kim Jong-Il died in 2011.

The country's nuclear programme was built in 1965 in Yongbyon, but the first test was successfully conducted in 2006, reports “Alzeera”, the Periscope broadcast.

After withdrawing from the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty in 2003, North Korea has continued to conduct several nuclear tests, finally in September 2016. Phenan has also tested a new missile system.

What's the story of two Koreas?

In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, starting the three - year Korean War. Since the signing of the truce agreement in 1953, North Korea and South Korea have been separated from a demilitarised area of 4km that stretches up to 250km.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea and the largest city, is within the immediate area of this demilitarized area and may be hit by North Korean artillery in the event of a war.

Both Koreas have steadily increased their military spending over the decades.

The U.S. has thousands of troops deployed in the region, making the Korean Peninsula located between the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, one of the world's most militarized areas.

Today, North Korea spends more than any other country on military expenditures as a gross percentage of local product (PBB). Almost a quarter of her GDP goes towards the military. With almost 1.2 million people currently serving in the military, North Korea also has the fourth largest army in the world.

While world leaders have come and gone, the Kim dynasty has remained in power.

What is the achievement of North Korean ballistic missiles?

Over the past few years, North Korea has tested several ballistic missiles with different levels of success.

The country's leader, Kim Jong, has pledged to continue tests, condemning the United States and its regional allies, South Korea and Japan.

The United States fears that North Korea may one day use its missiles to provide a nuclear shipment to the west coast. This fear has increased after Puerto Rican ballistic tests in July.

What are North Korean nuclear capabilities?

However, since 1984 the isolated country of North Asia has markedly increased its activities toward that end.

Under the then leadership of Kim Il-sung the first leader of the communist country, North Korea began testing important missiles. After Kim's death in 1994, his son Kim Jong-il became supreme leader of North Korea.

He continued with his father's legacy and increased the level of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. This led to the first nuclear test and the first launch of an intercstinctical ballistic missile (ICBM) in 2006.

In 2011, Kim Jong-il died and his son Kim Jong came to power. Since then, he has pushed the nuclear programme to new altitudes with more tests and improved skills. Over the past few years, North Korean nuclear capabilities have improved dramatically./Periscopi/