South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Kyu-beok stated that, according to widely accepted estimates, North Korea may possess between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads. This is significantly more than the 57 warheads cited the previous day by US President Donald Trump. The minister cautioned, however, that it is difficult to determine the exact number, and that the range cited has not been officially confirmed by military sources.
Briefly about the main points
- Ahn Gyu-beok put the figure at between 80 and 120 warheads.
- Trump had spoken the day before about the DPRK’s 57 nuclear weapons.
- Seoul’s assessment is based on private research estimates.
- South Korea does not recognise North Korea as a nuclear power.
- Pyongyang has rejected the idea of scaling back military exercises as a gesture of goodwill.
An assessment without official military confirmation
Speaking before a parliamentary committee, Ann He said that it was difficult to determine the exact number of warheads. He later clarified that the range had been established on the basis of estimates by private research organisations, and that the South Korean military could not officially confirm these figures.
Public estimates also vary due to differences in methodology. SIPRI estimated the number of warheads stockpiled as at the start of 2025 DPRK approximately 50, whilst the stockpile of fissile material stands at approximately 40. In 2026, the Federation of American Scientists estimated the number of warheads assembled to be approximately 60, with fissile material amounting to at least 90.
Seoul maintains its non-nuclear policy
South Korea has traditionally refrained from disclosing detailed public assessments of the DPRK’s stockpile and does not recognise Pyongyang as a nuclear power, whilst maintaining its commitment to denuclearisation. When asked whether the words meant Trump When asked about Washington’s recognition of North Korea’s nuclear status, An declined to comment, stating that it was inappropriate for a defence minister to comment on the US President’s remarks.
The minister stated that Seoul would continue to rely on the US nuclear umbrella. According to him, the country cannot develop its own nuclear weapons and should not agree to the deployment of US tactical nuclear weapons. The US and South Korea coordinate strategic and nuclear planning through the Nuclear Consultative Group.
Trump hopes to re-establish contact with Kim
The statements were made against the backdrop of Trump’s plans to meet the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year. Prior to this, the US President ordered to scale back joint US-South Korean military exercises, which he described as hostile to Pyongyang. The previous series of summits between the two leaders in 2018–2019 ended without an agreement due to differences over the easing of sanctions and the DPRK’s nuclear programme.
Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the North Korean leader, stated that even the scaled-back exercises remain provocative and aggressive. She does not regard them as a significant gesture of goodwill, said she was unaware of any recent contact between Trump and Kim, but described their personal relationship as «excellent».
