South Korea, US, Japan to hold trilateral “Freedom Edge” drills

South Korea, the United States, and Japan will conduct a five-day trilateral military exercise, "Freedom Edge," later this month, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced on September 5.

The drills will run from September 15 to 19 in international waters east and south of Jeju Island, as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce security cooperation in the face of North Korea’s growing military threats, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

According to the JCS, the upcoming drills will focus on enhancing multi-domain capabilities and interoperability among the three nations’ forces.

"The three countries will bolster their multi-domain operational capabilities in areas including the sea, air and cyberspace and enhance their interoperability to maintain a solid and stable trilateral cooperation," the JCS said in a statement.

This month’s exercise marks the third iteration of the trilateral Freedom Edge drills, following earlier rounds held in June and November of last year. Notably, it is the first such exercise since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump assumed office.

North Korea has consistently condemned the trilateral drills, viewing them as provocative. Pyongyang has previously issued warnings of military action in response to the Freedom Edge exercises, which have featured the involvement of US nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

After the inaugural drills in June 2024, North Korea slammed the exercise as an effort to reinforce what it called a "US-led military bloc."

In response, the JCS emphasised that the Freedom Edge exercise is a regular component of the allied defense posture.

"The drills are an annual exercise aimed at responding to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and guarding regional peace and stability while adhering to international law and regulations," it stated.

The name "Freedom Edge" combines elements of existing bilateral exercises: "Freedom Shield" conducted between the US and South Korea, and "Keen Edge," the US-Japan drill.

By Sabina Mammadli