Remarks made at Ohio campaign rally

Figure more than doubles the '57' Trump cited two months ago

President frames good ties with nuclear powers as a necessity

US President Donald Trump announces South Korea's investment in the United States. [Yonhap]
US President Donald Trump announces South Korea's investment in the United States. [Yonhap]

A figure cited by US President Donald Trump — 112 nuclear missiles — is drawing scrutiny after he mentioned it in the same breath as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, raising fresh questions about the true size of Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal. The number is more than double the "57 very powerful nuclear weapons" Trump attributed to North Korea in August, leaving observers uncertain whether the latest figure reflects accurate intelligence or a slip of the tongue.

Speaking at a midterm campaign rally in Ohio on Saturday (local time), Trump explained why he maintains a good relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying it is better to get along with the leaders of great nations and great nuclear powers.

He then added, "I get along very well with Kim Jong-un," and said, "When people have 112 nuclear missiles, it's good to get along."

Because the "112 nuclear missiles" remark came immediately after Trump mentioned Kim, it is widely understood to refer to North Korea's nuclear arsenal.

However, the figure differs from Trump's August statement that North Korea possesses "57 very powerful nuclear weapons," and it remains unclear whether the latest number is based on accurate information or whether Trump misspoke.

Some analysts note that North Korea's nuclear capability could not plausibly have nearly doubled in less than two months, suggesting Trump may have cited the wrong figure.

Estimates of North Korea's nuclear stockpile vary considerably depending on the source.

Former Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek said in August, citing analysis by a domestic research institute, that North Korea's nuclear arsenal is "generally estimated at around 80 to 120 warheads."

Trump has repeatedly treated North Korea's nuclear status as a given since referring to the country as a "Nuclear Power" on Jan. 20 last year, the first day of his second term. Analysts say this reflects a growing recognition that achieving denuclearization has become increasingly difficult as North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities have advanced.

Trump did draw a distinction Saturday, however, saying of Iran: "Iran will never have a nuclear missile."

While Trump appeared to accept the reality of Kim's nuclear arsenal and framed good relations with him as a practical necessity, he made clear he would not tolerate Iran — which has not yet acquired nuclear weapons — ever developing them.


carrier@heraldcorp.com