Trump Says North Korea Has 57 Nuclear Bombs, South Korea's Estimate Nearly Doubles That

South Korean Defense Minister An Kyu-baek said Thursday that North Korea is typically estimated to possess 80 to 120 nuclear warheads, a range significantly higher than President Trump's estimate of 57.

An Kyu-baek told lawmakers that North Korea is widely believed to have about 80 to 120 warheads. However, he warned that it is difficult to provide an exact figure. According to Reuters, An said at a parliamentary committee: "We generally estimate 80 to 120, but it is quite difficult to state an exact number."

The defense minister later clarified that these figures come from estimates by private research institutes, and the South Korean military cannot officially confirm them. When asked about Trump's recent claim that North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons, An responded: "The numbers seem to differ somewhat."

South Korea has long maintained a policy of pursuing North Korea's denuclearization and does not formally recognize Pyongyang as a legitimate nuclear weapons state. An reiterated this stance, stating: "We cannot officially acknowledge that."

An Kyu-baek reaffirmed South Korea's denuclearization policy and its reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella.

Trump Signals New Talks with Kim Jong-un

This disclosure comes amid a series of developments in U.S.-North Korea relations. Earlier this month, Trump ordered the Pentagon to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing their high costs and his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Trump also claimed that the North Korean leader responded to his request for talks, a move aimed at easing tensions. On Wednesday, the president even said he expects to meet with Kim Jong-un later this year. Trump also told reporters that the North Korean leader possesses 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons.

However, Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, disputed Trump's claim that the two leaders had recently communicated, but said the relationship between Trump and Kim Jong-un "remains very good."