South Korea's defence minister said North Korea likely possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, rejecting a lower estimate from President Donald Trump.
The discrepancy highlights a significant gap in intelligence assessments between key allies during a period of heightened regional tension. Accurate counting of the North Korean arsenal is critical for calculating deterrence strategies and negotiating disarmament.
President Donald Trump said North Korea has 57 nuclear weapons [3]. South Korean officials said this figure on Thursday, stating that the regime likely possesses around 80 to 120 nuclear weapons [1]. Some South Korean estimates place the number at up to 120 warheads [2].
Seoul based its assessment on data from private research organizations to provide a more comprehensive view of the threat. The defence minister's statement serves to correct the public record regarding the scale of Kim Jong Un's military capabilities.
This disagreement comes amid ongoing volatility on the peninsula. Recent reports indicate that North Korea fired 10 missiles [4], further complicating the security landscape in East Asia.
While the U.S. and South Korea maintain a strong military alliance, these differing numerical assessments suggest varying interpretations of satellite imagery and intelligence reports. The South Korean government said that the higher range is a more realistic reflection of the current threat level.
“South Korea's defence minister said North Korea likely possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads.”
The clash in numbers between the U.S. administration and South Korean intelligence suggests a lack of alignment on the perceived scale of the North Korean threat. By publicly correcting the U.S. president, Seoul is signaling that it views the nuclear risk as more severe than the current U.S. narrative suggests, which may influence future diplomatic demands and the deployment of regional defense assets.
