Korea, the United States, and Japan conduct regular multi-domain training 'Freedom Edge' in the high seas east and south of Jeju

Starting on the 7th, South Korea, the United States, and Japan will conduct the regular multi-domain exercise 'Freedom Edge' in the high seas east and south of Jeju.

The Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (Joint Chiefs of Staff) issued a press release today and announced that major maritime and air forces from Korea, the United States, and Japan will participate in this exercise, which will run until the 11th.

It is reported that six ships, including ROK-US-Japan Aegis destroyers, maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets, and aerial refueling aircraft are participating.

It is known that the Korean Navy's 7,600-ton Aegis destroyers, the Seoae Ryu Seongryong and the Yulgok Yi I, are participating. This year is the first time that two Aegis ships are participating in the Freedom Edge exercise on the Korean side.

On the one hand, the Aegis destroyer Atago (7,700-ton class), destroyer Asahi (5,100-ton class), P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, SH-60K helicopter, and F-15 fighter jet are participating in this exercise, the Japan Ministry of Defense's Integrated Air Defense Department announced in a press release on the 28th of last month.

It is reported that US forces such as the Aegis destroyer USS Benfold (6,900 tons) and USFK F-16 fighter jets will participate. On the 3rd, the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet announced the arrival of the Benfold in Busan on social media X.

Maritime missile defense training conducted with the participation of Aegis ships from the three countries is usually the core of Freedom Edge.

However, US aircraft carriers will not participate for the second year in a row, following last year. Previously, the US aircraft carriers Theodore Roosevelt and USS George Washington participated in the first and second Freedom Edge exercises held in June and November 2024, respectively.

Lieutenant General Stephen Jost, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, met with reporters after the opening ceremony of Freedom Edge held at Yokota Air Base, U.S. Forces Japan, and said of the absence of U.S. aircraft carriers, "The U.S. military responds to a global range of needs, and this does not reflect our commitment to this region (Indo-Pacific)."

When asked if there were any new elements in this training compared to previous years, Lieutenant General Jost explained, "This year, we placed a little more emphasis on cooperation in the cyber field," and added, "We also plan to conduct additional mandatory training."

The Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff also introduced, “(During this training period) we will jointly operate a training control group to systematically and safely control the training.”

Freedom Edge has been held every year in accordance with the agreement between Korea, the United States, and Japan to conduct regular multi-disciplinary exercises at the 2023 Camp David Trilateral Summit.

This year is the fourth, and it is believed to be aimed at strengthening the interoperability of Korea, the United States, and Japan across various operational areas such as maritime, air, and cyber.

Kim Ji-hoon, director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Exercise and Training Department, said, "We expect this exercise to be an important opportunity to further solidify the momentum of trilateral security cooperation."

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasized, "This training is an annual defensive exercise conducted to improve deterrence and response capabilities to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and to protect regional peace and stability while complying with international laws and norms."

While South Korea focuses on suppressing North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, the United States and Japan have appeared to place emphasis on responding to threats not only from North Korea but also from the wider region.

In his opening ceremony speech, Lieutenant General Jost emphasized, "The 21st century challenges we face in the Indo-Pacific region, with its vast distances and complex geographical characteristics, cannot be met by any one country alone."

“To preserve peace and security, promote prosperity, and develop friendship among countries in the region, it is necessary for countries that share the values ​​we cherish to join forces and jointly defend the freedoms we cherish,” he said.

Meanwhile, North Korea, which has criticized Freedom Edge as part of the United States' hostile policy toward North Korea, is expected to oppose this exercise as well.