United States President Donald Trump acknowledged that North Korea possesses a “pretty big” nuclear arsenal while asserting that relations will remain stable as long as he occupies the White House, according to the Japanese news agency Kyodo. Trump described North Korean leader Kim Čong-un as his friend and criticized past U.S. presidents for failing to stop Pyongyang’s nuclear development.
Trump Evaluates North Korean Nuclear Stockpile and Leader Kim
Trump addressed the scale of North Korea’s military capabilities during recent remarks reported by Kyodo. He stated that Kim Čong-un holds a “pretty big” arsenal, though he qualified the statement by adding, “Not like us, but he has nuclear weapons.” Pyongyang has long sought international recognition as a nuclear-armed state. Trump previously claimed that the country had manufactured 57 nuclear weapons. By contrast, South Korea’s Ministry of Defense estimates the stockpile is substantially larger, ranging between 80 and 120 warheads.
Speaking about the North Korean leader, Trump emphasized a personal connection. “Coincidentally, Kim Čong-un is my friend. He’s my friend. He likes Trump. He doesn’t like a lot of other people. I’m probably the only person in the world that he likes. And I like him,” Trump told Kyodo. He insisted that bilateral stability is guaranteed under his leadership. “As long as I’m here, it’s going to be good with him. Why? Because he respects me and he likes me,” Trump said.
Criticism of Predecessors and Contrasts with Iran Policy
The U.S. president also turned his criticism toward former occupants of the Oval Office when explaining why North Korea was able to develop atomic weapons while other nations faced military intervention. “They could have stopped him,” Trump said of his predecessors. This remark came in response to a question regarding why Pyongyang is permitted to maintain a nuclear program while Iran is barred from doing so.
That distinction coincides with military actions earlier this year, when the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran in February. The declared objective of those strikes was to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the Iranian government maintains that its atomic program is strictly peaceful.
Questions and Answers on the Korean Peninsula Nuclear Issue
How large is North Korea’s nuclear arsenal according to official estimates?
Trump previously stated that North Korea manufactured 57 nuclear weapons, whereas South Korea’s Ministry of Defense estimates the arsenal contains between 80 and 120 warheads.
What did Donald Trump say about his relationship with Kim Čong-un?
Trump described Kim Čong-un as his friend, stating that the North Korean leader likes and respects him, which he claims ensures diplomatic stability while he remains in the White House.
Why did Trump criticize former U.S. presidents regarding North Korea?
Trump stated that his presidential predecessors “could have stopped” Kim Čong-un from building up the country’s military capabilities.
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