South Korea, the United States, and Japan commenced the multi-domain joint exercise "Freedom Edge" on September 7 in international waters southeast of Jeju. Unlike the scaled-down joint exercise "Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS)" due to concerns over North Korea's reactions, this training is proceeding as planned. However, the US aircraft carrier will not participate for the second consecutive year.
The three nations will conduct the Freedom Edge exercise over five days, concluding on September 11. Key maritime and aerial forces from the three countries will participate, and a joint training control group will manage the exercise systematically and safely.
The three countries characterized this exercise as an annual training of a defensive nature that adheres to international laws and norms. They explained that the goal is to enhance deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats while safeguarding regional peace and stability.
The training will focus on strengthening operational capabilities and joint response abilities across various domains, including maritime, aerial, and cyber operations. The three nations aim to maintain a robust and stable cooperative relationship through this exercise.
This exercise is noteworthy as it demonstrates that security cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan continues as planned following the scale-down of UFS. It reflects ongoing military collaboration among the three countries to address North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, separate from managing relations with Pyongyang.
However, the absence of the US aircraft carrier, a key strategic asset, is notable again this year. Analysts suggest that the deployment of US carriers to the Middle East due to the Iran conflict has influenced this decision.
Freedom Edge is a result of an agreement made during the Camp David summit in 2023 under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration to conduct regular multi-domain exercises. The name is derived from the US-South Korea joint exercise "Freedom Shield" and the US-Japan joint exercise "Keen Edge."
The first exercise began in June 2024, followed by a second in November of the same year and a third in September last year, making this the fourth iteration. The US aircraft carrier has not participated since last year's exercise, marking two consecutive years without its involvement.
The three nations will conduct the Freedom Edge exercise over five days, concluding on September 11. Key maritime and aerial forces from the three countries will participate, and a joint training control group will manage the exercise systematically and safely.
The three countries characterized this exercise as an annual training of a defensive nature that adheres to international laws and norms. They explained that the goal is to enhance deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats while safeguarding regional peace and stability.
The training will focus on strengthening operational capabilities and joint response abilities across various domains, including maritime, aerial, and cyber operations. The three nations aim to maintain a robust and stable cooperative relationship through this exercise.
This exercise is noteworthy as it demonstrates that security cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan continues as planned following the scale-down of UFS. It reflects ongoing military collaboration among the three countries to address North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, separate from managing relations with Pyongyang.
However, the absence of the US aircraft carrier, a key strategic asset, is notable again this year. Analysts suggest that the deployment of US carriers to the Middle East due to the Iran conflict has influenced this decision.
Freedom Edge is a result of an agreement made during the Camp David summit in 2023 under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration to conduct regular multi-domain exercises. The name is derived from the US-South Korea joint exercise "Freedom Shield" and the US-Japan joint exercise "Keen Edge."
The first exercise began in June 2024, followed by a second in November of the same year and a third in September last year, making this the fourth iteration. The US aircraft carrier has not participated since last year's exercise, marking two consecutive years without its involvement.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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