Why Did Trump Pinpoint "57 North Korean Nuclear Weapons"? Analysts Point to "We See Everything"

[Anchor]

U.S. President Donald Trump's remark that "Kim Jong Un has a very powerful 57 nuclear weapons" has drawn attention for its specific figure, with some pointing out that it may involve the disclosure of classified information. Analysts suggest the move is intended to demonstrate that the United States has a thorough grip on North Korea's nuclear capabilities, thereby securing the upper hand in potential future U.S.-North Korea talks.

This report is by reporter Son Hyeong-an.

[Reporter]

What stands out in U.S. President Trump's mention of "57 North Korean nuclear weapons" is the precise number 57.

Because the figure was disclosed down to the last digit by the U.S. president, analysts first suggest that the information is likely to be highly accurate.

It is presumed to be data derived by synthesizing various intelligence regarding North Korea's nuclear program, including satellite imagery from U.S. intelligence agencies and information from allies.

Previously, the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) assessed in May that "North Korea may have assembled around 50 nuclear warheads."

In addition, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Swedish think tank, analyzed in its yearbook published in June that "North Korea possessed 60 nuclear warheads as of January."

This is quite close to the 57 mentioned by President Trump.

Experts suggest that Trump's disclosure of the specific figure is intended to show how closely U.S. intelligence authorities are monitoring Kim Jong Un, and that it amounts to a show of force demonstrating that the United States is thoroughly tracking down North Korea's secret weapons.

[Park Won-gon / Professor of North Korean Studies, Ewha Womans University: Through the considerable accuracy of the intelligence the U.S. holds, it shows that they are watching North Korea closely enough to possess corresponding deterrence against North Korea's nuclear weapons. This could also carry the meaning of urging them to come to the negotiating table.]

Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back, attending the National Assembly today (August 20), answered a question asking how many nuclear weapons the South Korean government assesses North Korea to have, like this,

[Ahn Gyu-back / Minister of National Defense: We typically view it as around 80 to 120. Stating an exact figure is quite restricted.]

and later corrected his response, stating that the evaluation belonged to a private research institution rather than the government.

A domestic North Korean nuclear expert noted that the context in which President Trump mentioned grievances regarding issues such as the deployment to the Strait of Hormuz should also be examined, evaluating that he is indirectly expressing dissatisfaction toward the South Korean government using the North Korean nuclear issue as a hook.

(Reported by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video edited by Lee So-young | Graphics by Park Taeyoung)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.