Conflict & Security
North Korea has 80 to 120 nuclear weapons, Seoul says
South Korea's defence minister estimated that North Korea has around 80 to 120 nuclear weapons, giving a higher range than US President Donald Trump's public statement that Pyongyang has 57.
Trump said Wednesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had “57 very powerful nuclear weapons” while speaking to reporters at the White House.
“He has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons. Should have never allowed it to happen,” Trump said. “But he's got them. I get along with him very well.”
Update
South Korea's defence minister estimated that North Korea has around 80 to 120 nuclear weapons.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 August 2026 at 02:56:43 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source item did not give the South Korean defence minister's name or further details on the basis for the 80 to 120 estimate.
The South Korean estimate and Trump's figure differ, and the supplied material does not resolve the discrepancy.
Source
AFP news report published on .