South Korea estimates North Korea has 80-120 warheads

South Korea’s defence minister estimated that North Korea likely has 80 to 120 nuclear warheads, a figure significantly higher than President Trump’s 57. He stressed the number derives from private research and cannot be officially disclosed, and Seoul continues to refrain from formally acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear-armed state while relying on the US nuclear umbrella. The remarks come as Trump has publicly cited a 57-weapon figure and signaled willingness to meet Kim Jong Un, while also moving to scale back joint U.S.–South Korean military drills. South Korea’s stance aligns with its non-nuclear policy and denuclearization goals, though some opposition lawmakers criticized the disclosure as potentially hindering those aims. Analysts note the discrepancy highlights the politicization and sensitivity around North Korea’s arsenal and the limits of public estimates. South Korea reiterates that it cannot, and will not, develop nuclear weapons and should not deploy US tactical nuclear weapons, continuing to rely on Washington's security guarantee.