South Korea, the United States and Japan launch free blade military exercises to strengthen multi-domain deterrence capabilities

(Central News Agency, Seoul, comprehensive foreign news report on the 7th) South Korea, the United States and Japan launched a five-day "Freedom Blade" military exercise today. The United States had previously scaled down the scale of joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea under the instruction of President Trump. Despite this, the exercises between South Korea, the United States, and Japan were still carried out as planned.

Yonhap News Agency reported that South Korea's Contracting Staff (JCS) issued a press release stating that the "Freedom Edge" multi-domain joint military exercise has begun in the high seas east and south of Jeju Island.

The Contracting General Staff Headquarters stated, "Through this military exercise, the three countries will strengthen their combat and joint response capabilities in multiple fields, including maritime, air and network, while maintaining a solid and stable cooperative relationship."

The Contracting Staff Headquarters emphasized that this exercise is a routine defensive military exercise every year and is carried out in accordance with international law and international norms.

The Contracting Staff Headquarters added: "This exercise is intended to enhance the ability to deter and respond to North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile threats and safeguard regional peace and stability."

This year's "Freedom Blade" is the fourth since it was first held in June 2024. Although the scale of the "Ulchi Freedom Shield" exercise between South Korea and the United States last month was reduced by half, this exercise is still carried out as scheduled.

According to sources, South Korea, the United States and Japan have sent a total of 6 Aegis destroyers, as well as maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets and aerial tankers to participate in the exercise.

The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet also stated on social media last week that the U.S. Burke-class destroyer "USS Benfold" has arrived in Busan and may participate in the three-nation military exercise.

As the U.S.-Iran war continues, sources said that this week's "Freedom Blade" military exercise is not expected to involve U.S. aircraft carriers. This will be the second consecutive year that no U.S. aircraft carriers have participated in this exercise. No U.S. aircraft carriers participated in last year's military exercise. At that time, a U.S. aircraft strike group was deployed in the Middle East.