South Korea estimates North Korea holds up to 120 nuclear weapons
South Korea's defense minister estimated North Korea's arsenal at 80 to 120 nuclear weapons, a figure well above a number recently cited by the US president.
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South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said on Thursday that his country estimates North Korea possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear weapons.
The statement came just hours after US President Donald Trump had suggested a much lower figure, saying North Korea may have 57 such weapons.
The gap between the two estimates is more than twofold, underscoring how uncertain international assessments of North Korea's nuclear arsenal remain. Pyongyang does not officially disclose the exact size of its nuclear stockpile, so both Washington and Seoul rely on intelligence assessments and expert analysis to arrive at their figures.
As North Korea's immediate neighbor and longtime regional rival, South Korea closely monitors its military and nuclear program, given the direct implications for its own national security.
