South Korea, the United States, and Japan will conduct a multidomain joint exercise called 'Freedom Edge' next month.
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on August 28, the military authorities of the three countries are coordinating the detailed schedule and participating forces for this year's Freedom Edge exercise.
Freedom Edge is a regular training exercise involving the three nations that integrates operations across maritime, aerial, underwater, and cyber domains. Its purpose is to enhance interoperability among the three forces and strengthen deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.
This exercise comes shortly after the U.S. significantly scaled back its joint exercise 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' (UFS) with South Korea while pursuing dialogue with North Korea.
The training is expected to include operations in ballistic missile defense, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, and cyber defense. Specific training areas and participating ships and aircraft will be finalized through consultations among the three countries.
According to Japan's Kyodo News, citing the U.S. Forces Japan, Freedom Edge is scheduled to take place from September 7 to 11 this year. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has also stated that it is closely coordinating with the South Korean military and the Japan Self-Defense Forces for the exercise.
Freedom Edge began after the leaders of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan agreed to regularize multidomain training during a meeting at Camp David in August 2023. The first exercise was conducted in June 2024 in the waters south of Jeju, followed by a second exercise in November of the same year.
The third exercise took place over five days in September last year in the southeastern waters off Jeju, where the three nations conducted training in ballistic missile defense, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, maritime replenishment, and cyber defense.
Last month, the chiefs of staff of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to continue conducting joint exercises, including Freedom Edge, during a meeting in Washington, D.C. This year's exercise will be the fourth since its initial implementation in 2024.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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