South Korea estimates North Korea holds up to 120 nuclear warheads

South Korea estimates North Korea to have between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, according to its defence minister Ahn Gyu-back. The range is significantly higher than the 57 nuclear weapons previously claimed by US President Donald Trump. Ahn emphasized that it is challenging to pinpoint an exact number but that the estimates come from private research organisations.

South Korea normally refrains from disclosing specific details about North Korea's nuclear arsenal and does not officially recognize Pyongyang as a nuclear weapons state, in line with its policy advocating for denuclearisation. Ahn reiterated the government's stance on not officially acknowledging North Korea's nuclear status. He declined to comment on whether Trump's reference to 57 warheads indicated US recognition of North Korea's nuclear arsenal, stating it would not be appropriate for South Korea's defence minister to comment on the US president's remarks.

South Korea will continue to rely on the US nuclear umbrella, as per its longstanding non-nuclear policy. Trump aims to rekindle engagement with Kim after reducing joint US-South Korean military drills, which he deemed hostile to North Korea. North Korea reacted negatively to the reduced exercises, maintaining that they remain provocative and aggressive.

Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, dismissed the shortened drills as not meaningful goodwill gestures and claimed to be unaware of any recent interactions between Trump and Kim, although she described their personal relationship as excellent. Trump stated at the White House that he anticipates meeting Kim later this year, potentially reigniting diplomacy that stalled following a series of high-profile summits in 2018 and 2019 due to disagreements over sanctions relief and North Korea's nuclear weapons program.