President Donald Trump stated on August 20, 2026, that North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons while discussing a potential meeting with leader Kim Jong Un later in the year. This figure is reportedly the first time a U.S. official has provided an exact number regarding North Korea's nuclear arsenal, which public assessments have generally estimated to be between 50 and 60 warheads. It remains unclear if Trump's number is based on classified intelligence.
Trump defended his relationship with Kim, asserting that it is beneficial. He criticized previous administrations for allowing North Korea to develop its nuclear capabilities and expressed confidence in Kim's leadership, stating, "You can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon. And I know Kim Jong Un very well, and he’s going to be fine as long as we have a smart president."
He mentioned that he expects to meet with Kim later this year, although no specific date or location was provided. Trump also ordered a reduction in U.S.-South Korea military drills, which he described as costly and sending a hostile message to North Korea. This decision aligns with his efforts to revive diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, criticized the reduction in military drills, claiming that U.S. policy towards North Korea remains hostile. Previous negotiations between Trump and Kim broke down in 2019 without an agreement to limit North Korea's nuclear program. Comparatively, North Korea's arsenal is significantly smaller than those of Russia and the United States, which have approximately 4,400 and 3,700 nuclear warheads, respectively.