US, Japan, South Korea Launch Freedom Edge Exercises to Counter North Korea Threats

Carrier-based aircraft are visible on the deck of the American aircraft carrier George Washington during the joint Freedom Edge exercises by Japan, the United States, and South Korea in the East China Sea near Jeju Island, South Korea, on November 14, 2024. Getty Images/Kyodo News

In September, the United States, Japan, and South Korea launched the first multi-domain exercises after a lengthy pause, aimed at strengthening alliance cohesion. The exercises’ goal is to bolster defense coordination and increase resilience to nuclear and ballistic threats from North Korea. According to Bloomberg, the five-day exercises named Freedom Edge began on September 15 in international waters off Jeju and involved forces from the three countries: naval, air, and cyber units.

Participants emphasize that such maneuvers are standard practice and designed to improve operational interoperability in response to North Korea’s growing missile and broader threat capabilities.

In Pyongyang and other official North Korean sources, these actions are viewed as preparations for war and a warning. In official publications from Pyongyang, it is noted that the country will respond to the allies’ exercises with “very clear and intensified countermeasures” should the display of force continue.

“an imprudent display of force” by the United States, Japan, and South Korea toward North Korea will inevitably bring “bad results” for the allies.

According to officials from the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, the exercises are to separately practice scenarios for countering missile- and nuclear-pressure and to strengthen coordination among the navies, air forces, and cyber units of the three countries. The emphasis is on sharing intelligence data and on rehearsing joint procedures for rapid response in the event of a threat.

These measures are part of a program to bolster trilateral partnership, initiated under previous U.S. administrations and continued considering new regional challenges. It is expected that the exercises will take place in several operational environments and cover different security aspects in the Far East.

Significance for regional security

Analysts emphasize that such joint exercises help better synchronize actions among military structures, establish real-time intelligence sharing, and boost readiness for crisis situations. These steps also demonstrate the unity of the allies and their ability to respond to North Korea’s growing missile and nuclear pressure.

In sum, the trilateral exercises reflect the seriousness of the United States, Japan, and South Korea’s intentions toward regional stability, with a focus on safeguarding sea lanes, airspace, and cyberspace in the Far East.