South Korea Estimates North Korea Has 80-120 Nuclear Weapons; Minister Clarifies Source

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik stated on Tuesday that North Korea likely possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear weapons. This estimate exceeds the 57 nuclear weapons mentioned by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

During a session of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, Shin responded to a question from Seong Il-jong, a lawmaker from the ruling People Power Party, who asked if the minister acknowledged North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons, referencing Trump's statement. Shin replied, "We estimate North Korea's nuclear weapons to be around 80 to 120, but there are significant limitations in stating the exact number."

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We estimate North Korea's nuclear weapons to be around 80 to 120, but there are significant limitations in stating the exact number.

Following controversy that his remarks might be interpreted as acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear state, Shin clarified his position. "What I said refers to the content evaluated by domestic private research institutions," he explained. He further stated that it was difficult to confirm whether his estimate was higher or lower than Trump's figure.

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What I said refers to the content evaluated by domestic private research institutions.

Lawmakers expressed concern over the discussion of North Korea's nuclear arsenal. Kim Byung-joo of the Democratic Party argued that questioning the Defense Minister about the exact number of North Korean nuclear weapons is a sensitive issue that could be seen as recognizing North Korea as a nuclear power, which South Korea cannot accept under any circumstances.

Shin Won-sik reiterated South Korea's stance on denuclearization, stating, "We cannot develop nuclear weapons. We should not accept the deployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons either. Our consistent policy is to firmly receive the provision of the U.S. nuclear umbrella."

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Questioning the minister about 'how many nuclear weapons North Korea has' is something a National Defense Committee member must be very cautious about. It is because it is tantamount to acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear state. We cannot acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear state under any circumstances.