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South Korea, U.S. and Japan Begin Freedom Edge Drills Without U.S. Carrier for Second Year

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • South Korea, the United States and Japan began their annual Freedom Edge multidomain exercise in waters southeast and east of Jeju, running through Sept. 11.
  • Six Aegis-equipped ships, maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets and aerial refueling aircraft are taking part, while the U.S. carrier is absent for a second consecutive year.
  • U.S. and Japanese officials said the carrier’s absence does not weaken the exercise or Washington’s Indo-Pacific commitment, while South Korea highlighted the North Korean nuclear and missile threat.

South Korea, the United States and Japan have begun their 2026 Freedom Edge exercise, a five-day multidomain drill in international waters east and southeast of Jeju. The exercise runs from Sept. 7 to 11 and includes six ships, including Aegis destroyers, as well as maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets and aerial refueling aircraft.

The U.S. military responds to demands across the globe, and this does not reflect our commitment to this region, the Indo-Pacific.

· Steven JostThe commander of U.S. Forces Japan addressed the absence of a U.S. aircraft carrier from the exercise.

South Korea is taking part with the 7,600-ton Aegis destroyers Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong and Yulgok Yi I. Japan has deployed the 7,700-ton Atago and 5,100-ton Asahi destroyers, a P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, SH-60K helicopters and F-15 fighters. The United States is participating with the 6,900-ton Aegis destroyer Benfold and U.S. Forces Korea F-16 fighters.

There was no impact on Freedom Edge. There were no changes to the exercise’s scope, size or objectives.

· Steven JostHe rejected suggestions that the carrier’s absence or the smaller Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise had affected Freedom Edge.

The U.S. aircraft carrier, which joined the first two Freedom Edge exercises in June and November 2024, is absent again this year. That has raised concerns about a possible weakening of the U.S. security commitment to the Indo-Pacific. Steven Jost, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, rejected that interpretation, saying the U.S. military must respond to demands around the world and that the decision did not reflect its commitment to the region. He said the carrier’s absence had no effect on the exercise.

Freedom Edge is the most effective exercise for strengthening deterrence and joint response capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

· Kim Ji-hoonThe South Korean official described the purpose of the exercise at its opening.

Jost also said the reduction in the scope of the South Korea-U.S. Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise had not changed Freedom Edge’s range, size or objectives. South Korean Rear Adm. Kim Ji-hoon said the drill was intended to strengthen the three countries’ response to North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats. Japan emphasized broader regional security, including opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force. This year, the three countries are operating a joint exercise control group on a full scale, a step that signals a more institutionalized form of their security cooperation.

It demonstrates the three countries’ firm resolve for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and contributes to creating a security environment that does not tolerate unilateral changes to the status quo by force.

· Yoshiyasu IshimakiThe Japanese official described the broader regional purpose of the drill.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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