South Korea, U.S. Hold First Joint Exercise Against Cognitive Warfare

In response to the escalating threat of cognitive warfare, where disinformation is used to disrupt decision-making and public opinion, South Korea and the United States have conducted their first joint tabletop exercise focused on countering such threats. The exercise, held at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul, brought together military and government officials from both nations.

The drill simulated scenarios involving the rapid identification and neutralization of disinformation campaigns originating from external forces. It also focused on synchronizing responses across multiple domains, including cyber, space, and the electromagnetic spectrum, to ensure allied communication strategies are effectively implemented. Multiple South Korean government bodies, including the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Intelligence Service, participated, outlining their roles and coordinating responses.

This collaborative effort marks a significant step in addressing the evolving nature of modern conflict, where information operations play a crucial role. The U.S. Forces Korea highlighted the exercise as the first comprehensive joint, interagency, and multinational training focused on synchronizing operations within the information environment.

Participants reviewed bilateral cooperation frameworks aimed at institutionalizing these coordinated responses for future joint operations. The exercise is expected to inform more specific scenarios during the upcoming Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) joint military drills, underscoring the commitment of both nations to bolstering their defenses against psychological warfare and maintaining strategic communication integrity.