South Korea, Japan, US bolster ‘first island chain’ defence with Freedom Edge drills
The exercise is the ‘most advanced demonstration of trilateral defence cooperation to date’, according to the US Indo-Pacific Command
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Friday that the “multi-domain” exercise, known as Freedom Edge, would take place in international waters east and south of Jeju Island from September 15 to 19.
“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 added.
The announcement follows China’s Victory Day parade on Wednesday, which spotlighted growing strategic ties between Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang.
The US Indo-Pacific Command described Freedom Edge as the “premier trilateral, multi-domain exercise” between the three nations, saying it showed their “shared commitment to collectively achieve and maintain peace in Asia-Pacific.”
“In addition to continuing to refine ballistic missile defence capabilities, this year’s exercise will incorporate Marine and Air Force aviation capabilities and introduce enhanced air defence exercises, medical evacuation training and maritime interdiction operation training,” it said in a press statement.