A joint military exercise between Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo began in South Korean waters.
Publish dateMonday 7 September 2026 - 12:56
Story Code : 364821
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): According to Yonhap, South Korea, the United States, and Japan began a five-day joint military exercise on Monday.
According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, the multi-domain exercise "Freedom Edge" began in international waters east and south of Jeju Island, located in southern South Korea.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced in a statement: The three countries will use this exercise to enhance operational capabilities and joint response capabilities in various fields, including maritime, air, and cyber.
The South Korean military announced that the exercise will include the participation of major naval and air equipment and systems of the armed forces of the three countries, and a joint exercise control group will also supervise the operation to ensure its orderly and safe implementation.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stressed that the exercise is an annual defensive exercise that is being held in accordance with international laws and norms.
The aim of the exercise is to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats while safeguarding regional peace and stability, the headquarters added.
This year’s Freedom Edge exercise is the fourth such exercise since it was first held in June 2024.
Last year’s exercise was held without the presence of a US aircraft carrier; this was the first time since the start of Freedom Edge that a US aircraft carrier was not present in the exercise, as US carrier strike groups were stationed in the Middle East at the time.
When announcing the plans for Freedom Edge 2026 in late August, the US Pacific Command said the exercise would include enhanced real-time data sharing and simultaneous coordination among the three countries, as well as enhanced air defense scenarios and maritime interception and interdiction operations.
The second and third Freedom Edge exercises were held in November 2024 and September last year, respectively.
Experts have seen the exercises as a factor in escalating tensions between countries in the region, including Seoul and Pyongyang.
According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, the multi-domain exercise "Freedom Edge" began in international waters east and south of Jeju Island, located in southern South Korea.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced in a statement: The three countries will use this exercise to enhance operational capabilities and joint response capabilities in various fields, including maritime, air, and cyber.
The South Korean military announced that the exercise will include the participation of major naval and air equipment and systems of the armed forces of the three countries, and a joint exercise control group will also supervise the operation to ensure its orderly and safe implementation.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stressed that the exercise is an annual defensive exercise that is being held in accordance with international laws and norms.
The aim of the exercise is to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats while safeguarding regional peace and stability, the headquarters added.
This year’s Freedom Edge exercise is the fourth such exercise since it was first held in June 2024.
Last year’s exercise was held without the presence of a US aircraft carrier; this was the first time since the start of Freedom Edge that a US aircraft carrier was not present in the exercise, as US carrier strike groups were stationed in the Middle East at the time.
When announcing the plans for Freedom Edge 2026 in late August, the US Pacific Command said the exercise would include enhanced real-time data sharing and simultaneous coordination among the three countries, as well as enhanced air defense scenarios and maritime interception and interdiction operations.
The second and third Freedom Edge exercises were held in November 2024 and September last year, respectively.
Experts have seen the exercises as a factor in escalating tensions between countries in the region, including Seoul and Pyongyang.
avapress.net/vdcdxo0sfyt09j6.em2y.html
Top hits
