Former President Donald Trump stated that North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons, a specific figure that marks the first public acknowledgement of an exact number by a U.S. official. Public estimates have generally ranged between 50 and 60 warheads, though the secretive nature of North Korea's program makes a definitive count challenging.
Trump made the assertion while defending his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, describing it as "a good thing." He suggested that a meeting with Kim could occur later this year, although no specific date or location has been announced. Trump has previously met with Kim three times, but negotiations stalled in 2019 without an agreement to curb Pyongyang's nuclear program.
The former president also confirmed a substantial scaling back of the annual U.S.-South Korea military exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield. Trump cited the exercises as costly and sending an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea. The U.S. and South Korean militaries subsequently announced the exercises would be shortened and concluded on Friday.
Trump attributed North Korea's nuclear development to previous administrations, stating that "prior administrations" allowed the country to build its arsenal. He characterized Kim Jong Un as "a very powerful player."
North Korea's nuclear capabilities are considerably smaller than those of other major nuclear powers. According to estimates from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in January, Russia maintains approximately 4,400 nuclear warheads, the United States has 3,700, and China possesses 620. North Korea's estimated stockpile of about 60 assembled warheads, as per SIPRI, aligns broadly with Trump's figure, though the institute cautions about the uncertainty due to the program's secrecy.
Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, has previously stated that the reduction in military drills was insufficient and that Washington's policy toward North Korea remains hostile.