SEOUL — Ahn stated that the estimate of 80 to 120 warheads is derived from private research organisations and cannot be officially confirmed by the South Korean military. "We usually see it as around 80 to 120, but it is considerably limited to state an exact number," Ahn said during a parliamentary committee session.

Ahn stated that South Korea does not officially recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapons state. "We cannot officially acknowledge that," he said. He further clarified Seoul's position on nuclear armament.

"We cannot develop nuclear weapons. Nor should we accept the deployment of US tactical nuclear weapons," he said. He stated that South Korea will continue to rely on the US nuclear umbrella for its security needs.

Kim Yo Jong stated that the relationship between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un remains "excellent." However, she dismissed the reduction in military drills as provocative and aggressive. "we do not consider it worth commenting on and find it completely uninteresting," Kim Jong said. Trump is considering meeting Kim Jong Un during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, in November 2026. Kim Jong Un has been Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2011.

Why It Matters

The discrepancy between South Korea's estimate of 80 to 120 warheads and President Trump's figure of 57 shows differing assessments of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. South Korea's reliance on the US nuclear umbrella and its refusal to develop independent nuclear weapons or accept US tactical nukes reflects the centrality of the US-South Korea alliance. The presence of approximately 28,500 US troops in South Korea serves as a tangible component of this security arrangement.

The planned meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un, alongside the scale-back of military drills described by Trump as "hostile," indicates a shift in diplomatic approach. Kim Yo Jong's statement that she is unaware of recent communications contrasts with Trump's expectation of a meeting, suggesting potential gaps in public messaging or coordination. The firing of 10 short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea shortly after Trump's announcement demonstrates continued military activity during diplomatic overtures.

Timeline

On August 17, 2026, Trump ordered a scale-back of joint US-South Korean military drills. On August 19, 2026, Trump stated, "He has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons. Should have never allowed it to happen.. If I were president, I wouldn't have allowed it." Also on August 19, 2026, Trump stated, "Yeah, I will be," when asked if he planned to meet Kim Jong Un later in 2026.

US President Trump stated that North Korea possesses 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons on August 19, 2026. Trump stated that he expects to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in 2026 on August 19, 2026. Trump stated that joint US-South Korean military drills are "hostile to North Korea on August 19, 2026. Lee Jae Myung stated he would do his utmost to support and contribute to Trump's peacemaking efforts with the North on August 19, 2026."

What's New

Kim Yo Jong stated, "Regarding the recent news from Washington about communication between the leaders of North Korea and the United States, I am completely unaware of it." Should have never allowed it to happen.. Kim Yo Jong stated, "we do not consider it worth commenting on and find it completely uninteresting." North Korea fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area on Thursday, hours after US President Donald Trump stated he planned to meet Kim Jong Un. Lee Jae Myung stated he would do his utmost to support and contribute to Trump's peacemaking efforts with the North. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated he would support Donald Trump's peacemaking efforts with North Korea. Donald Trump stated that the military drills were very insulting" to Kim Jong Un.

How Sources Differ

Regarding communications between leaders, Kim Yo Jong stated, Regarding the recent news from Washington about communication between the leaders of North Korea and the United States, I am completely unaware of it." In contrast, a Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff official told AFP that North Korea fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area on Thursday, hours after US President Donald Trump stated he planned to meet Kim Jong Un. On North Korea's status and drills, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense statement to the National Assembly noted that South Korean defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated that North Korea is estimated to possess between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, while the White House press briefing transcript recorded that Donald Trump stated that joint US-South Korean military drills are "hostile" to North Korea. Regarding support for diplomacy, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense statement to the National Assembly cited Ahn's estimate, whereas the South Korean Presidential Office statement noted that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated he would support Donald Trump's peacemaking efforts with North Korea."

On denuclearization, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense statement to the National Assembly cited the warhead estimate, while South Korean defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated he did not believe Washington had given up on North Korea's denuclearisation when asked about the US stance. On nuclear counts and missile tests, the White House press briefing transcript stated that US President Trump stated that North Korea possesses 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons, while a Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff official about the missile firing. Regarding the meeting, a Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff official about the missile firing after Trump's statement, while the White House press briefing transcript stated that Trump stated that he expects to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in 2026.