South Korea estimates North Korea has up to 120 nuclear warheads, far above Trump’s figure

Although he cautioned it was challenging ‌to ⁠determine an exact figure, south Korea estimates North Korea has up to 120 nuclear warheads, far above Trump's figure South Korea Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back informed lawmakers that North Korea was generally believed ‌to have around 80 to 120 warheads.

Key points

• South Korea estimates North Korea possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, its Defence Minister remarked on Thursday (August 20, 2026), citing a range significantly ‌higher than U.S.
• A TV screen demonstrates a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on August 12, 2026.
• Trump created the remark at the White House on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) while discussing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his aims to meet him afterwards this year.
• Trump remarked at ‌the White House on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) that he anticipated to meet Mr.
• Although he cautioned it was challenging ‌to ⁠determine an exact figure, defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back informed lawmakers that North Korea was generally believed ‌to have around 80 to 120 warheads.

Meanwhile, a TV screen demonstrates a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on August 12, 2026. Photo Credit: AP.

South Korea estimates North Korea possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, its Defence Minister remarked on Thursday (August 20, 2026), citing a range significantly ‌higher than U.S. President Donald Trump's recent assertion that Pyongyang has 57 nuclear weapons.

"We usually see it as around 80 to 120, ⁠but it is considerably limited to state an exact number, " Mr. Ahn informed a parliamentary committee.

Afterwards, Mr. Ahn clarified that the figure was derived from estimates by private research organisations, adding that South Korea's military could not officially confirm the numbers.

Asked regarding Mr. Trump's comment ‌a day earlier that Mr. Kim possessed 57 "very powerful nuclear weapons", Mr. Ahn remarked, "the numbers appear somewhat different."

Mr. Trump created the remark at the White House on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) while discussing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his aims to meet him afterwards this year.

South ‌Korea has traditionally avoided publicly disclosing detailed estimates of North Korea's nuclear stockpile and does not officially recognise Pyongyang as a nuclear weapons state under its long-standing policy supporting denuclearisation.

Mr. Ahn reiterated that position when asked whether ⁠the administration acknowledged North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. "We cannot officially acknowledge that, " he remarked.

He additionally declined to comment on whether Mr. Trump's reference to 57 warheads amounted to U.S. ‌recognition of North Korea's nuclear status, saying it would not be appropriate for South Korea's defence minister to comment on the U.S. President's remarks.

Mr. Ahn remarked South Korea would continue to rely on the U.S. Nuclear umbrella, in line with Seoul's longstanding non-nuclear policy.

"We cannot develop nuclear weapons. Nor should we accept the deployment of U.S. Tactical nuclear weapons, " Mr. Ahn remarked.

Notably, the comments came as Mr. Trump seeks to revive engagement with Mr. Kim after ordering a ‌scale-back of joint U.S.-South Korean military drills. It he described as "hostile" to North Korea.

North Korea responded coolly to the move. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, remarked the reduced exercises remained provocative and aggressive despite ⁠their shortened duration.

She dismissed any suggestion that Pyongyang would view the move as a meaningful goodwill ⁠gesture and remarked she was unaware of any recent contacts between Mr. Trump and Mr. Although she described the personal relationship between the leaders as "excellent.", kim.

Mr. Trump remarked at ‌the White House on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) that he anticipated to meet Mr. Kim afterwards this year, potentially reviving diplomacy that stalled after a series of unprecedented summits in 2018 and 2019 collapsed over disagreements on sanctions relief and North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

For now, south Korea estimates North Korea has up to 120 nuclear warheads, far remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.