SEOUL, South Korea, East Asia: Private research groups estimate North Korea’s nuclear warheads at 80 to 120, Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers Thursday.
Ahn said the range was difficult to verify precisely and later clarified that South Korea’s military did not officially confirm it.
The estimate is well above the 57 nuclear weapons cited Wednesday by President Donald Trump of the United States. Asked about the difference, Ahn said the figures “appear somewhat different.”
South Korea does not officially recognise North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. Ahn reiterated Seoul’s long-standing policy supporting denuclearisation.
Read: North Korea Nuclear Navy Plan adds 10,000-Tonne Warships
He also said South Korea would continue relying on the US nuclear umbrella rather than developing its own weapons or accepting US tactical nuclear deployments.
Trump cited the 57 figure while discussing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and said he expected to meet him later this year.
Read: North Korea Nuclear Plant Shown As Kim Orders Arms Growth
The comments come as Trump seeks renewed diplomacy after ordering a reduction in joint US-South Korean military exercises. Kim Yo-jong, Kim’s sister, has said the reduced drills remain provocative despite their smaller scale.
