Trump Says North Korea Has 57 Nuclear Weapons, Hints at Meeting Kim Jong Un This Year

President Donald Trump has indicated North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons and expressed his expectation of meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un within the year. These remarks, made during a press conference, signal a potential shift in U.S. policy by acknowledging North Korea's nuclear arsenal, a move that could pave the way for a summit at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in November.

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He has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons.

When asked about meeting Kim Jong Un by year's end, Trump responded affirmatively. He then stated, "He has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons." Earlier, when questioned if denuclearization remained the goal of dialogue with North Korea, Trump declined to comment. This follows Trump's recent public announcement of scaled-back joint U.S.-South Korea military drills, further signaling his desire to resume dialogue with Pyongyang.

Trump's specific mention of "57" nuclear weapons is significant, as both the U.S. and South Korean governments have historically avoided quantifying North Korea's nuclear capabilities. Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek's recent estimate of 80-120 weapons, later clarified as a figure from a private institution, highlights the sensitivity around this issue. Trump's statement appears to be a direct response to Kim Jong Un's firm stance against negotiating denuclearization.

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He's sending a message to Kim Jong Un: 'I acknowledge you have many nuclear weapons, so let's meet first.'

Analysts interpret Trump's comments as an attempt to entice Kim Jong Un to the negotiating table by acknowledging his nuclear status. "He's sending a message to Kim Jong Un: 'I acknowledge you have many nuclear weapons, so let's meet first,'" said Jang Yong-seok, a visiting research fellow at Seoul National University's Institute for Peace and Unification Studies. Lee Byung-cheol, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies, added that Trump is offering a "bait" by suggesting that nuclear possession could be accepted in exchange for negotiations, building on his previous reference to North Korea as a "nuclear power."

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He's offering a 'bait' by suggesting that nuclear possession could be accepted in exchange for negotiations, building on his previous reference to North Korea as a 'nuclear power.'

Some speculate that Trump, facing declining approval ratings ahead of the November midterm elections, might be considering a shift in U.S. policy. This could involve acknowledging North Korea's nuclear status and focusing on arms control and non-proliferation. However, such a move could trigger a nuclear arms race in Northeast Asia. North Korea has responded cautiously, with Kim Yo Jong stating that the reduction in joint military drills was "not worth commenting on" and "not interesting." However, she also noted that the relationship between the two leaders "remains excellent," suggesting that Pyongyang might engage in dialogue if further concessions are made.

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The relationship between the two leaders remains excellent.