North Korea may possess as many as 120 nuclear warheads, according to South Korea’s defence minister. This puts its estimated arsenal significantly above a recent figure given by US President Donald Trump.
According to Reuters, South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers on Thursday that estimates generally place Pyongyang’s nuclear stockpile between 80 and 120 warheads.
The minister, however, stressed that it was difficult to establish an exact figure. He said the numbers were based on estimates from private research organisations rather than an official military confirmation.
Estimate exceeds Trump’s figure
Ahn’s comments came after Trump said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un possessed 57 “very powerful nuclear weapons”.
Asked about the difference, the South Korean minister acknowledged that the estimates did not match.
“We usually see it as around 80 to 120, but it is considerably limited to state an exact number,” Ahn said.
South Korea maintains non-nuclear policy
Despite the estimate, Seoul has maintained its longstanding position. It does not officially recognise North Korea as a nuclear weapons state.
Ahn also rejected suggestions that South Korea should develop nuclear weapons of its own or host American tactical nuclear weapons.
Instead, Seoul intends to continue relying on the United States’ nuclear umbrella for deterrence.
Trump seeks fresh talks with Kim
The debate comes as Trump attempts to revive diplomacy with Kim Jong Un.
Trump has said he expects to meet the North Korean leader later this year after their earlier round of diplomacy stalled over sanctions and denuclearisation.
The US president also recently ordered joint military exercises with South Korea to be reduced. Although this happened, Pyongyang has dismissed the move as insufficient.
North Korea has continued expanding its nuclear and missile programmes despite years of international sanctions. As a result, the size of its arsenal is a growing security concern for Seoul and Washington.
