South Korea, France boost naval ties with joint Indo-Pacific drills

South Korea and France conducted joint naval exercises on November 20, strengthening their maritime security partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, the South Korean Navy announced.

The drills took place near Busan, a southeastern port city located 325 kilometres from Seoul, Caliber.Az reports citing Korean media.

The South Korean Navy deployed the 4,400-ton destroyer ROKS Choi Young and a Lynx helicopter, while France contributed the 2,600-ton frigate FS Prairial.

The training focused on enhancing interoperability in communication, tactical manoeuvres, and shipborne takeoff and landing operations. 

This exercise adds to a series of collaborative naval drills South Korea has conducted this year with partners like the Netherlands, Germany, and Australia.

Last week, South Korea also participated in Freedom Edge 24-2, a trilateral military exercise alongside the United States and Japan. Held south of the Korean Peninsula near Jeju Island, the three-day operation involved an impressive lineup of naval and air forces.

The US deployed the aircraft carrier USS George Washington along with three Navy missile destroyers. Japan contributed a Self-Defence Force destroyer, while South Korea provided two of its own destroyers. The air component featured fighter jets, anti-submarine patrol aircraft, and advanced F-35 fighters from all three nations.

This phase marked the continuation of trilateral drills first conducted in June. According to the US Pacific Command, the exercises reaffirmed the defensive resolve and collaborative strength of Japan, South Korea, and the US in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, including the Korean Peninsula.

The trilateral effort builds on commitments made in July when the defence ministers of Japan, South Korea, and the US signed a Memorandum of Trilateral Security Cooperation. The agreement underscored a unified stance against escalating nuclear and missile threats from North Korea and reinforced plans to enhance regional security cooperation.

By Tamilla Hasanova