“End Nuclear Insanity Before Nuclear Insanity Ends Humanity.” ~llaw
A South Korean E-7 airborne control aircraft flies over Seoul Air Base on September 27, 2013. | KIM DOO-HO/AFP via Getty Images
On My Mind Today:
Sometimes the most insignificant appearing news, threats, circumstances, changes, alterations, or upgrades can be the most significant actions to keep a close eye on —especially in a nuclear world. Keeping our eyes on relationships, especially war and even moreso on “nuclear war” apparently can seem unimportant and go forward with little or no concern about what is quietly going on until someone’s eyes are suddenly opened.
Such has long been the quiet, but long-suffering relationship between South and North Korea, and most of us are unaware these days of a slowly increasing sense of friction that has been catching my own eye from time to time having been a veteran who spent his overseas assignment in South Korea just four miles from the DMZ, aka the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas.
Although walking guard duty around the 4th Cavalry Division headquarters of the EUSA (8th Army Division) there was never a comfortable assignment — but we all took our turns with the knowledge that someone was occasionally shot dead by a North Korean sniper. During my time there, though, I was lucky enough to visit with North Korean officers and soldiers, share a luncheon, and have a feeling of comfort that I, and hopefully our headquarters compound, would never be a target.
But there have been “accidental” misguided bombings in North Korean villages, and of course high-level military evaluations, and most recently an important and serious North Korean war scenario and evaluation of nuclear war between the nations which, unfortunately the U.S. refused to respond to, which to my mind was a big mistake by our present administration, perhaps appearing to belittle North Korea’s government and military as ‘unimportant’. Obviously, this was a “snub” intended to look down on the North Korean government.
Fifty nuclear bombs in North Korea’s nuclear arsenal is nothing to be snubbed about, and just one dropped on South Korea would, without doubt, begin what would instantly develop into WWIII, or what you might call “armageddon”. ~llaw
Today’s Featured Story:
South Korea Upgrades Surveillance Against Nuclear-Armed North
Published
Oct 02, 2025 at 09:43 AM EDT
0:25 / 1:06
By Ryan Chan
China News Reporter
South Korea has decided to acquire military aircraft from the United States to enhance its surveillance capabilities amid the persistent threat from nuclear-armed North Korea.
Newsweek reached out to the North Korean Embassy in Beijing for comment via email.
Why It Matters
North Korea has refused to give up its nuclear weapons, estimated to number about 50 warheads, and has continued its missile development. The United States is committed to South Korea‘s security, having signed a mutual defense treaty with the country in 1953, following the Korean War.
In addition to developing weapons domestically, such as Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missiles, South Korea has relied on introducing advanced U.S.-made military hardware to build its armed forces, including F-35A stealth fighter jets and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft.
South Korea’s latest arms procurement comes as the Trump administration pressures allies and partners to increase defense spending by purchasing American weapons.
What To Know
South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday that the Defense Acquisition Program Administration has selected U.S. defense contractor L3Harris Technologies to supply airborne control aircraft as part of the country’s surveillance aircraft fleet.
The estimated cost for purchasing four Global 6500 aircraft, scheduled for delivery by 2032, is 3.87 trillion won ($2.82 billion), according to the report. They will supplement the current fleet of four Boeing E-7 airborne control aircraft operated by the Air Force.
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The decision to expand South Korea’s fleet of airborne control aircraft was in response to what the report described as “growing aerial threats” from North Korea, which has developed self-exploding attack drones, and other unspecified neighboring countries.
A South Korean E-7 airborne control aircraft flies over Seoul Air Base on September 27, 2013. | KIM DOO-HO/AFP via Getty Images
China, which maintains a military presence in disputed waters near South Korea, has been rapidly building and modernizing its air power by developing advanced aircraft.
L3Harris Technologies also confirmed that it has been selected by South Korea to deliver aircraft equipped with advanced airborne early warning and control systems, saying the aircraft will provide continuous air surveillance and control capabilities.
According to the company, the Global 6500 is a business jet that has been modified, or what it calls “missionized,” with sensor systems capable of conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. As of July, two aircraft had been delivered to customers.
Given the need for affordable yet capable aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, L3Harris Technologies stated in July that demand is growing to convert commercial aircraft by adding mission equipment and survivability features.
What People Are Saying
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration said on Tuesday: “This project is expected to ensure round-the-clock aerial surveillance capabilities against enemy air threats during both wartime and peacetime, and to enable independent and efficient air control operations by the South Korean military.”
L3Harris Technologies said on Wednesday: “This project enhances the Republic of Korea Armed Forces’ ability to maintain continuous air surveillance and control capabilities in response to growing aerial threats.”
The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea.
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether South Korea will place additional orders for weapons from the U.S. as part of its military buildup to counter the threat from North Korea.
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s All Nuclear Daily Digest” & RELATED MEDIA:
There are 7 categories, including a bonus non-nuclear category for news about the Yellowstone caldera and other volcanic and caldera activity around the world that also play an important role in the survival of human and other life.
The feature categories provide articles and information about ‘all things nuclear’ for you to pick from, usually with up to 3 links with headlines concerning the most important media stories in each category, but sometimes fewer and occasionally even none (especially so with the Yellowstone Caldera). The Categories are listed below in their usual order:
- All Things Nuclear
- Nuclear Power
- Nuclear Power Emergencies
- Nuclear War Threats
- Nuclear War
- Yellowstone Caldera (Note: There are two Yellowstone Caldera bonus stories available in today’s Post.)
- IAEA News (Friday’s only)
A current Digest of major nuclear media headlines with automated links is listed below by nuclear Category (in the above listed order). If a Category heading does not appear in the daily news Digest, it means there was no news reported from this Category today. Generally, the three best articles in each Category from around the nuclear world(s) are Posted. Occasionally, if a Post is important enough, it may be listed in multiple Categories.
TODAY’S NUCLEAR WORLD NEWS, Thursday, (10/02/2025)
All Things Nuclear
NEWS
Construction Detected at Israeli Nuclear Weapons Site | Arms Control Association
Arms Control Association
All seven believed that the activity was linked to Israel’s nuclear weapons program. … What Wargames Reveal About Expanding the U.S. Nuclear Arsenal.
A long-awaited solution to Hanford’s nuclear waste may be weeks away – KUOW
KUOW
She says after all that is signed and delivered and checked off, she thinks Ecology is going to have a huge party with a big cake, with a melter or
Power Flowing to Chernobyl Nuclear Plant After Outage – Officials – The Moscow Times
The Moscow Times
“Everything functions normally today,” Ukraine’s energy ministry told AFP on Thursday. news. Russia Says Situation at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Under …
Nuclear Power
NEWS
3M helps shape a new age of nuclear energy
3M News Center
… energy-intensive AI models and the increasing electrification of industry and transportation. Amid this evolving energy landscape, nuclear power …
Duke Energy considers nuclear reactors and coal extensions in Carolinas energy plan
Reuters
U.S. power company Duke Energy is considering adding large nuclear reactors to its fleet and extending the life of some coal plants as part of a …
Power fully restored to Chernobyl site – World Nuclear News
World Nuclear News
The International Atomic Energy Agency says that power was restored on Thursday morning to the New Safe Confinement at Chernobyl Nuclear Power …
Nuclear Power Emergencies
NEWS
Ukrainian nuclear plant’s longest power outage since war began is ‘critical’ moment
ABC News – The Walt Disney Company
Emergency generators are currently keeping the systems running. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said conditions remain …
Chornobyl Nuclear Plant temporarily loses power after Russian attack on nearby town …
The Kyiv Independent
The Energy Ministry also reported an “emergency situation” at several facilities within the Chornobyl plant. “Due to power surges, the New Safe …
Zelenskiy accuses Russia of deliberately launching attack that cut Chornobyl power
Reuters
… reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant during a tour to the… … power cutoff as emergency diesel generators were in operation. But he …
Nuclear War Threats
NEWS
The Uncertain Future of Nuclear Deterrence and Proliferation – Global Security Review
Global Security Review
In August 2025, Russia declared it would no longer fulfil its commitments under the INF Treaty, citing increasing threats from the United States and …
South Korea Upgrades Surveillance Against Nuclear-Armed North – Newsweek
Newsweek
… threat from nuclear-armed North Korea. Newsweek reached out to the … War. In addition to developing weapons domestically, such as Hyunmoo-5 …
Sequencing Over Simultaneity: How to Avert a Two-Front War
War on the Rocks
America faces three adversaries: Iran, the persistent destabilizer, determined to develop nuclear weapons; Russia, the acute threat, invading Ukraine …
Nuclear War
NEWS
How Would Nuclear War Affect Climate? Scientists Are Divided | Arms Control Association
Arms Control Association
Scientists at the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration have called into question the severity of climate risks posed by nuclear war but …
Russia still waiting for US response to nuclear arms control proposal, says Russia’s UN envoy
Reuters
… nuclear weapons once a key arms control treaty expires, Russia’s U.N. … Israel and Hamas at War · Japan · Middle East · Ukraine and Russia at War …
Ukraine war briefing: Attack cutting power to Chornobyl nuclear plant a ‘global threat’, says Zelenskyy
The Guardian
Emergency diesel generators brought online after Russia accused of shelling substation supplying power to scene of 1986 disaster.
Yellowstone Caldera
NEWS
Emergency Repairs Completed On Critical Yellowstone Monitoring Site – Unofficial Networks
Unofficial Networks
White Lake GPS site in Yellowstone National Park. The USGS Yellowstone Volcano Observatory relies on a number of GPS monitoring stations to keep an …
How Does Water From Snow And Rain Get To The Numerous Hot Springs In Yellowstone?
National Parks Traveler
Editor’s Note: Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.