Images from the year 2002

The year 2002 will be remembered for the global war on terrorism, escalating tension in the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula, and the rise of people's awareness toward the environment.

Violence hit several countries in 2002, including Colombia and Russia, in which hundreds of innocent civilians were killed.

Despite the tension in the Korean Peninsula, the Japanese prime minister paid a surprise visit to North Korea in September and met with its president, Kim Jong-il.

On the environment front, South Africa hosted the biggest UN- organized gathering ever in August and September, the Earth Summit or World Summit on Sustainable Development, which was attended by delegations from 191 countries.

Here are a few images of the world's major events of the year.