South Korea, US and Japan launch Freedom Edge exercise amid North Korean retaliation concerns

South Korea, the United States and Japan have begun their latest Freedom Edge exercise, while concerns grow that North Korea could respond with a provocation such as a ballistic-missile launch.

The five-day exercise runs from the 7th through the 11th in international waters southeast of Jeju. Major naval and air forces from all three countries are taking part.

The countries will operate a joint exercise control group and train across maritime, air and cyber domains. The stated aim is to improve their ability to deter and respond to North Korean nuclear and missile threats and to safeguard regional peace and stability.

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A defensive annual exercise conducted in compliance with international law and norms to improve deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and safeguard peace and stability in the region.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff described Freedom Edge as a defensive annual exercise conducted in compliance with international law and norms. North Korea has objected to the drills, saying there has been no change in the allies’ position toward a hard-line response.

The three countries agreed at a 2023 leaders’ summit to hold multidomain exercises. They conducted Freedom Edge three times from 2024 through last year.

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There has been no change in our position toward a hard-line response.