South Korea says North Korea may have up to 120 nuclear warheads

South Korea's defense minister estimates North Korea possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, a figure significantly higher than US President Donald Trump's recent estimate of 57. Minister Ahn Gyu-back cautioned that the exact number is difficult to determine and noted the estimate comes from private research organizations, not official military confirmation.

South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that North Korea is estimated to possess between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, a range significantly higher than US President Donald Trump's recent assertion that Pyongyang has 57 nuclear weapons. Ahn cautioned that the exact figure is difficult to determine and later clarified that the estimate comes from private research organizations, not official military confirmation. When asked about Trump's comment, Ahn said the numbers "appear somewhat different" but declined to comment on whether Trump's reference amounts to US recognition of North Korea's nuclear status. Ahn reiterated South Korea's longstanding policy of not officially recognizing North Korea as a nuclear weapons state and said the country cannot develop nuclear weapons or accept the deployment of US tactical nuclear weapons. The comments come as Trump seeks to revive engagement with Kim Jong Un after ordering a scale-back of joint US-South Korean military drills, which North Korea's Kim Yo Jong dismissed as still provocative.