Archive · 20 Aug 2026
South Korea Estimates North Korea Holds Up To 120 Warheads
South Korea says North Korea may have between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads.
This number comes from a private research institute, not directly from the South Korean government.
South Korea’s defense minister said the government has a secret assessment but did not reveal it.
Donald Trump recently said North Korea has 57 nuclear weapons.
Trump is trying to improve his relationship with Kim Jong Un again.
He also ordered a major reduction in United States–South Korea military exercises.
Trump said he might meet Kim by the end of the year.
Their earlier meetings did not produce an agreement to remove North Korea’s nuclear weapons.
South Korea’s defense minister cited a private institute’s estimate of 80 to 120 North Korean nuclear warheads.
The estimate exceeds Donald Trump’s publicly stated figure of 57 nuclear weapons.
Minister Ahn Gyu-back said the government’s own assessment was confidential and did not reveal whether it was higher or lower.
Trump has renewed outreach to Kim Jong Un and ordered a substantial reduction in United States–South Korea military drills.
Trump said he could meet Kim Jong Un by the end of the year, but earlier talks ended without a denuclearization agreement.
- Who
- South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, Donald Trump, and Kim Jong Un are central figures.
- What
- A South Korean minister cited an estimate that North Korea possesses 80 to 120 nuclear warheads, while Trump cited 57.
- When
- The estimate was discussed on Thursday; Trump gave his figure on Wednesday, and a possible meeting was mentioned for later this year.
- Where
- The estimate was discussed in parliament, amid renewed diplomacy involving the Korean Peninsula.
- Why
- The figures were discussed as Trump renews outreach to North Korea and seeks to reduce military drills with South Korea.
South Korean Estimate
Trump’s Estimate
Size of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal
South Korean Estimate
A private research institute’s estimate cited by South Korea puts North Korea’s arsenal at 80 to 120 nuclear warheads. The South Korean government did not disclose its own figure.
Trump’s Estimate
Donald Trump said North Korea has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons.
Value of reducing military drills
South Korean Estimate
The article presents the reduction as part of Trump’s effort to reopen communication with Kim Jong Un, but says an immediate breakthrough is unlikely.
Trump’s Estimate
Trump said the drills send an inappropriate and hostile message to North Korea and adversely affect his relationship with Kim Jong Un.
Prospects for renewed diplomacy
South Korean Estimate
Observers cited in the article are doubtful that Trump will quickly resolve the conflict, noting that earlier talks were inconclusive.
Trump’s Estimate
Trump has renewed engagement with Kim Jong Un and said the two could meet by the end of the year.
- Estimated North Korean arsenal
- 80 to 120 nuclear warheads, according to a private research institute cited by South Korea’s defense minister.
- Donald Trump’s figure
- Trump said North Korea has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons.
- Government assessment
- South Korea’s defense minister said the government’s assessment is confidential.
- Military drills
- Trump ordered the Department of Defense to substantially reduce United States–South Korea military drills.
- Possible meeting
- Trump said he would meet Kim Jong Un by the end of the year.
- Earlier negotiations
- Trump met Kim Jong Un three times during his first term, but discussions remained inconclusive.