N. Korea typically estimated to have 80-120 nuclear weapons: defense minister

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated that North Korea is believed to possess between 80 and 120 nuclear weapons, though he refrained from providing an exact number. This revelation came during a parliamentary session in response to a claim by U.S. President Donald Trump, who asserted that Pyongyang possesses 57 very powerful nuclear weapons.

This was the first time Trump had offered a specific figure regarding North Korea's nuclear arsenal. Ahn emphasized that while the estimate is generally accepted as being in the range of 80 to 120 weapons, he was constrained in offering a precise figure. Following Trump's remarks, the estimates held by South Korea and the United States concerning North Korea's nuclear stockpile seem to differ slightly, according to Ahn.

It was noted that it was uncommon for a South Korean or U.S. government official to disclose a specific number for North Korea's nuclear arsenal, not only due to the highly classified nature of such information but also to avoid being perceived as acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. Both South Korea and the United States have maintained that the isolated state is not recognized as such.