South Korea says North Korea has up to 120 nuclear warheads, double Trump’s figure

World South Korea notes North Korea has up to 120 nuclear warheads, double Trump's figure US President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that North Korea has around 57 nukes.

Key points

• Minister Ahn Gyu-back made public intelligence generally estimates North Korea's stockpile to be in the range of 80 to 120 warheads, with the caveat that precise quantification is challenging.
• According to the Seoul defence minister, Pyongyang possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads.
• "We usually see ⁠it as around 80 to 120, but it is considerably limited to state an exact number, " Ahn informed a parliamentary committee.
• On Wednesday, Trump created remarks regarding his aims to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un afterwards this year.
• Earlier this week, Trump scaled back the US annual military drills with South Korea, citing the act as hostile towards North Korea.

South Korea has estimated that North Korea's nuclear arsenal could be twice Trump's estimate.

According to the Seoul defence minister, Pyongyang possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads. The estimation comes after the US President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that North Korea has around 57 nukes.

Ahn afterwards clarified the estimation of numbers by saying that the numbers were calculated through private research organizations. Right now, South Korea's military could not officially confirm these numbers.

Commenting on Trump's estimated 57 figure, the defence minister remarked, "the numbers appear somewhat different."

Speaking regarding Seoul's efforts for military independence, Ahn stated the country would continue to rely on the "US 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, " Ahn continued.

On Wednesday, Trump created remarks regarding his aims to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un afterwards this year. The US president is looking to revive diplomatic discussions with Kim.

Earlier this week, Trump scaled back the US annual military drills with South Korea, citing the act as hostile towards North Korea. Pyongyang responded coolly to drill cuts.

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, dismissed the move as a meaningful goodwill gesture, stating the exercises remained provocative despite being scaled back.

Kim Yo Jong additionally observed she was unaware of any recent direct contacts between Trump and Kim, and she characterized their personal relationship as "excellent."

Aqsa Qaddus Tahir is a reporter dedicated to science coverage, exploring breakthroughs, emerging research, and innovation. Her work centres on making scientific developments understandable and relevant, presenting well-researched stories that connect complex ideas with everyday life in a clear, engaging, and informative manner.

Taken together, the developments around south Korea says North Korea has up to 120 nuclear warheads, double point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.