South Korea rejects Trump's claim; estimates Kim Jong Un has 80-120 nuclear weapons
South Korean defense officials have disputed Donald Trump's claim that North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons, estimating the actual count to be between 80 and 120. The disagreement occurs amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing military exercises.
Why it matters
Discrepancies in nuclear intelligence estimates between the US and South Korea complicate diplomatic efforts and regional security strategies regarding North Korea.
South Korea’s defence minister claimed on Thursday that North Korea possesses around 80 to 120 nuclear weapons, disputing US president Donald Trump’s claim that Pyongyang has 57.The remarks were made by defence minister Ahn Gyu-back during a parliamentary session. According to news agency Reuters, the minister also said Seoul “cannot acknowledge” the 57-warhead estimate and stressed that South Korea cannot develop nuclear weapons or accept US tactical nuclear weapons.The remarks come amid renewed tensions over US-South Korean military drills, which Pyongyang has condemned as provocative.On Wednesday, US president Donald Trump said he planned to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and claimed that Pyongyang had 57 “very powerful nuclear weapons”.“The fact that I get along with him - that's a good thing, not a bad thing. He has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons,” Trump said, adding, “They should have never allowed it.
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