US, South Korea and Japan kick off five-day joint military exercises

South Korea, the United States and Japan on September 7 launched five-day joint military exercises, dubbed Freedom Edge, in international waters east and south of Jeju Island, Yonhap reports.

According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the drills involve the naval and air forces of all three countries and cover maritime, air and cyber domains. The exercises also include air defence and maritime interdiction operations.

South Korea’s military stressed that Freedom Edge is an annual, defensive exercise aimed at strengthening deterrence and joint response capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, as well as maintaining peace and stability in the region.

This year, the three countries plan to expand real-time information sharing and coordination. The drills will also include air defence, medical evacuation and vessel interdiction exercises.

By Jeyhun Aghazada