Five-day military exercise focuses on countering North Korean threats…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The United States, South Korea and Japan on Monday launched a five-day trilateral military exercise aimed at strengthening joint deterrence and response capabilities against North Korean nuclear and missile threats.
The multidomain Freedom Edge exercise is being held in international waters east and south of South Korea’s southern island of Jeju, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
The drills will bring together maritime, air and cyber capabilities from the three nations, with a joint exercise control group overseeing operations to ensure their systematic and safe execution.
“The three nations will leverage the drills to enhance operational capabilities and joint response capabilities across multiple domains, including maritime, air and cyber,” the JCS said, adding that the exercise would reinforce regional peace and stability.
The South Korean military stressed that Freedom Edge is an annual defensive exercise conducted in accordance with international law and international norms.
The latest drills come despite the recent scaling back of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises between South Korea and the US. The bilateral exercise was reduced last month following an order by US President Donald Trump, reportedly as part of efforts to ease tensions with North Korea, which has long condemned joint military drills as rehearsals for war.
Freedom Edge is being held for the fourth time since the exercise was launched in June 2024.
Although the JCS did not disclose the full list of participating assets, sources familiar with the exercise said the three countries are expected to deploy six Aegis-equipped destroyers, maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets and refuelling tanker aircraft.
South Korea is reportedly deploying the 7,600-tonne destroyers ROKS Yulgok Yi I and ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong. Japan is expected to contribute the Atago and Asahi destroyers, along with P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, SH-60K helicopters and F-15 fighter jets.
The US Navy’s USS Benfold, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, recently arrived in Busan, raising expectations that it will participate in the exercise.
No US aircraft carrier is expected to join this year’s drills, according to sources.
The US Pacific Command said the 2026 Freedom Edge exercise would feature enhanced real-time data sharing, synchronised coordination, air defence scenarios and maritime interdiction operations among the three allies.
