TOKYO - Japan, South Korea and the United States launched a trilateral multi-domain exercise Monday to boost capabilities and safeguard peace and stability in the region, with North Korea criticizing it as part of Washington's "invariable" hostile policy toward the country.
The Freedom Edge exercise, featuring real-time data sharing as well as synchronized maritime and aviation coordination, will be held through Friday, the three countries said. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it will be conducted in international waters east and south of the country's southern island of Jeju.
"The growth of this exercise and the continued collaboration of all three nations demonstrate our collective strength, high level of interoperability, and an unwavering commitment to the defense of our nations and the security of a free and open Indo-Pacific," the U.S. Forces Japan said.
A spokesperson for the North Korean Foreign Ministry earlier condemned the exercise, calling it a "threat" to the country and the region, and vowed to respond to it with the "toughest stand," according to a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.
Last month, an annual bilateral military exercise between South Korea and the United States, originally planned to last 11 days, was shortened after U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media that the drills are costly and may send the wrong signals to North Korea, and should therefore be limited.
It was the fourth Freedom Edge exercise of its kind since its establishment was announced in 2024. It was also held for five days last year.
