North Korea May Have up to 120 Nuclear Warheads

North Korea may possess between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers Thursday, citing estimates significantly higher than US President Donald Trump’s figure of 57.

Speaking before a parliamentary committee, Ahn cautioned that the exact number was difficult to determine. He later clarified that the range was based on estimates by private research organizations and could not be officially confirmed by the military.

Seoul continues to reject recognition of Pyongyang as a nuclear-armed state and remains committed to denuclearization. Ahn also ruled out developing an arsenal of its own or hosting US tactical nuclear weapons, saying the country would instead continue to rely on Washington’s nuclear umbrella.

Trump said Wednesday that he expected to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year. He had previously ordered a reduction in joint US-South Korean military exercises.

However, Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s sister, dismissed suggestions that the reduction amounted to a meaningful gesture of goodwill, saying the exercises remained provocative and aggressive.

(Reuters, bak)