57 Nuclear Weapons Mentioned by Trump: [Yang Nakgyu’s Defence Club]

First U.S. President to Publicly Address Issue... Possibility of Including Tactical Nukes
North Reveals 10 Weapon Systems Capable of Carrying 'Hwasan-31'

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 19th (local time) that North Korea possesses '57' nuclear weapons. This marks the first time a U.S. president has publicly mentioned the specific number of North Korean nuclear warheads. It goes beyond previously referring to North Korea as a 'nuclear power'.

Military vehicles are waiting on June 18th at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, during the ongoing South Korea-U.S. joint exercise 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' (UFS). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The '57' nuclear warheads stated by President Trump are generally in line with estimates released by expert groups and organizations. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS), in its 2024 report, assessed that North Korea has produced enough fissile material to manufacture up to 90 nuclear warheads and is believed to have assembled around 50 warheads, mainly for medium-range ballistic missiles. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in its '2026 SIPRI Yearbook' published this June, revised its estimate of North Korea's nuclear warheads from 50 last year to 60 this year. Nevertheless, North Korea's estimated nuclear arsenal remains smaller than that of other de facto nuclear-armed states, such as India (190), Pakistan (170), and Israel (90).

'57 Nuclear Warheads' Close to Figures Announced by Global Research Institutes

At the start of this year, North Korea declared a diversification of its strategic weapons. This signals an intention not only to continue developing nuclear weapons but also to focus on the advancement of cutting-edge conventional weapons, integrating them under a combined nuclear-conventional integration (CNI) strategy.

At the Central Military Commission meeting held in February this year, North Korea presented “major tasks” for the new five-year plan, which emphasized the need to elevate the military technology of the nation's armed forces to the world's highest level. These tasks include introducing new secret weapons and special strategic assets to the military. The new five-year plan encompasses the development of ground- and underwater-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), unmanned strike forces utilizing artificial intelligence, special anti-satellite assets, electronic warfare weapons systems, and advanced reconnaissance satellite capabilities.

Kim Jong Un Signals Willingness to Expand Nuclear Forces from This Year

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his intention to build up the country's nuclear forces in the “business summary report” delivered at the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party, also held that month. He stated, “We have forward-looking plans to strengthen the national nuclear capabilities year on year, and we will devote our energy to increasing the number of nuclear weapons and expanding the means and scope of nuclear operations.” This suggests not only increasing the number of nuclear warheads, but also expanding launch platforms, including both land-based ICBMs and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed an important weapons test organized by defense science research institutions on the 25th, according to the Korean Central News Agency on the 26th. A tactical ballistic missile is seen shooting flames as it launches from a coastal launcher. Yonhap News Agency

In practice, Kim Jong Un has emphasized the nuclear armament of both surface and underwater forces. At the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in January 2021, North Korea set forth five major tasks for strengthening national defense, one of which was to acquire ‘nuclear submarines and underwater-launch nuclear strategic weapons’, indicating its intention to maintain this policy going forward. The 8,700-ton nuclear submarine, whose construction North Korea revealed last December, is expected to serve as a core component of its underwater nuclear force.

Kim Jong Un has also stressed the need to strengthen strike capabilities against South Korea. Primary systems identified include the deployment, by year, of 600mm super-large multiple rocket launchers capable of carrying tactical nukes, newly developed 240mm guided rockets, and tactical guided missiles equivalent to the North Korean version of KTSSM (Korea Tactical Surface to Surface Missile), all of which aim to enhance the density and persistence of attacks. North Korea has also announced plans to develop electronic attack weapons capable of paralyzing an adversary's command and control system, attack drones equipped with artificial intelligence enabling target engagement via shape memory, and laser-based weapons to target satellites monitoring North Korea.

Declaration of the Deployment of the 'Hwasan-31' Tactical Nuclear Warhead

On the 19th of this month, ahead of the Party Congress, North Korea held a presentation ceremony for its 600mm large-caliber multiple rocket launchers. This ceremony is interpreted as being part of the mass production of tactical nuclear warheads. As the 600mm launchers mounted on launch vehicles were shown on a large scale, it was clear that these weapon systems have effectively reached actual deployment. According to U.S. and South Korean intelligence authorities, the 600mm multiple rocket launcher—with its guided capability and a range approaching 400km—is classified as a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM).

The strike weapons emphasized by North Korea for targeting South Korea are those fitted with the 'Hwasan-31' tactical nuclear warhead, which Kim Jong Un unveiled during his 2023 visit to the North Korean Nuclear Weapons Research Institute. North Korea has promoted the Hwasan-31 as being able to be mounted on more than 10 types of weapons, including the 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher (KN-25), the unmanned underwater attack craft Haeil, the Hwasal-1/2 cruise missile, KN-24 (ATACMS), and mini submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). Furthermore, during speeches on the anniversary of the regime’s founding (September 9) last year and visits to the Defense Science Institute’s dedicated armored defensive weapons laboratories, North Korea indicated its intent to expand both the number and operational deployment of nuclear weapons.

More Than 10 Types of Weapons Revealed Capable of Carrying Tactical Nuclear Warheads

Military authorities estimate the explosive yield of the Hwasan-31 to be 10kt (1kt equals the power of 1,000 tons of TNT). When North Korea conducted its third nuclear test in 2009, it demonstrated a blast yield of 5kt. If the Hwasan-31 is mounted on the new short-range ballistic missiles developed by North Korea for striking South Korea—including the KN-23, KN-24, and KN-25 (eight types in total)—the threat of nuclear strikes against all of South Korea becomes a practical reality. The KN-23 (maximum range 800km), KN-24 (600km), and KN-25 (400km) are all capable of reaching targets throughout the Korean Peninsula.

Some observers have raised the possibility that North Korea could conduct an additional nuclear test if its claims to possess tactical nuclear weapons are not recognized. Such arguments have been prominent among experts both domestically and internationally since before the start of Trump’s second term, during the election season. In January 2021, Kim Jong Un again stressed the priority of “super-large nuclear warhead production” among his top five tasks for the strategic weapons sector. North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests from October 2006 to September 2017, with tests three through six occurring during Kim Jong Un’s rule. The explosive yields have also increased over time—6–7kt (3rd test), 6kt (4th), 10kt (5th), and 50kt (6th). If North Korea carries out a test of a super-large nuclear warhead, it is anticipated that the yield could reach two to three times that of the sixth test.

Possibility of Additional Nuclear Tests if Tactical Nuclear Status Denied

The position of the South Korean government remains the same. The military assesses that the 3rd and 4th tunnels at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province—which have not yet been used for nuclear tests—are already prepared for new tests at any time. Should North Korea decide to proceed, there is a strong possibility it could be a hydrogen bomb test designed for intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) deployment. In 2024, the National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that “North Korea possesses about 70kg of plutonium and a significant quantity of highly enriched uranium, enough to produce at least a double-digit number of nuclear weapons,” adding, “This could happen after rather than before the U.S. presidential election.”

Shin Jongwoo, Secretary General of the Korea Defense & Security Forum (KODEF), commented, “North Korea was known to have had about 20 plutonium and uranium bombs a decade ago, but the figure cited by President Trump likely includes additional hydrogen bombs and Hwasan-31 tactical nukes. With North Korea having carried out six tests, it is presumed that the data acquired from these could have enabled completion of tactical nuclear weapons as well.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.