South Korea estimates North Korea's nuclear arsenal to be significantly higher than that of U.S. President Donald Trump. According to South Korean Defense Minister An Kyung-bak, Pyongyang possesses approximately 80–120 nuclear weapons. Speaking before lawmakers, the minister declined to provide a more precise figure, noting that this range is considered the most likely estimate by South Korean military officials. The statement came just hours after Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un allegedly has 57 "very powerful nuclear weapons." At the same time, the American president reiterated that he maintains a good relationship with the North Korean leader and expressed his intention to meet with him again before the end of the current year. The difference between the estimates from Washington and Seoul indicates that the exact size of North Korea's nuclear arsenal remains unknown. Since North Korea does not disclose such information, estimates are based on intelligence data and expert analysis, which can vary significantly. Meanwhile, Pyongyang also reacted to Trump's statements. The sister of the North Korean leader, Kim Yo-jong, stated that she knows nothing about any contacts between Kim Jong Un and the U.S. president, which Trump had mentioned earlier. According to Kim Yo-jong, if such contacts did indeed take place, it would be the only foreign policy issue of which she is unaware. At the same time, she noted that the North Korean leader retains "good memories" of Donald Trump and that the relationship between the two politicians can still be described as "excellent." Despite such statements, there has been no official confirmation of preparations for a new meeting between the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea.
