- South Korea estimates that North Korea possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, a figure significantly higher than President Trump's recent assertion of 57, according to Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back.
- Ahn stated that the estimate is based on private research and emphasized that he cannot officially confirm the numbers as South Korea does not recognize North Korea as a nuclear-armed state.
- Trump claimed that North Korea has 57 'very powerful nuclear weapons' during a press briefing, marking the first time he publicly cited a specific figure for the regime's nuclear arsenal.
- When asked about Trump's estimate, Ahn remarked that the numbers 'appear somewhat different' from South Korea's assessment.
- Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stated she was unaware of any communications between Trump and her brother but acknowledged that their relationship remains 'excellent'.
- Trump has called for a reduction in US-South Korean military exercises, a suggestion that Kim Yo Jong dismissed as 'unworthy of comment'.
South Korea's defense minister Ahn Gyu-back revealed on Thursday that North Korea may have between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, a figure that starkly contrasts with President Donald Trump's recent estimate of 57. Ahn stated that this assessment is based on private research, emphasizing the difficulty in determining an exact number due to South Korea's policy of not officially recognizing North Korea as a nuclear-armed state.12
Ahn explained, "We usually see it as around 80 to 120, but it is considerably limited to state an exact number," during a parliamentary committee meeting. He also noted that South Korea's military cannot confirm these estimates officially, adhering to its long-standing denuclearization policy.
Trump's figure of 57 was the first specific number he publicly cited regarding North Korea's arsenal, made during a discussion about his relationship with Kim Jong Un. Ahn declined to comment on Trump's estimate, stating, "the numbers appear somewhat different".
Despite the differing assessments, Ahn reiterated South Korea's reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella and maintained that the country cannot develop its own nuclear weapons. He stated, "We cannot develop nuclear weapons. Nor should we accept the deployment of US tactical nuclear weapons," reinforcing South Korea's commitment to its non-nuclear policy.
The South Korean government has traditionally refrained from disclosing detailed estimates of North Korea's nuclear capabilities, reflecting its cautious approach to the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
“Ahn Gyu-back said the estimate comes from private research organizations and that Seoul cannot officially confirm the numbers because it does not recognize North Korea as a nuclear state. He also reaffirmed Seoul's reliance on the US nuclear umbrella, ruling out developing its own weapons or hosting US tactical nukes.”
