South Korea-U.S.-Japan Military Drills Draw North Korean Criticism and Possible Retaliation

Concerns have emerged that the U.S. might scale back its trilateral cooperation with South Korea and Japan due to a potential change in administration. However, the recent multi-domain training exercise reaffirmed the enduring importance of the South Korea-U.S.-Japan alliance.

On Wednesday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the three nations would conduct the second iteration of the multi-domain “Freedom Edge” training off the southern coast of Jeju. The training, scheduled for Friday, follows an agreement made at the Camp David summit in August 2023 to implement more comprehensive multi-domain exercises, drawing on elements of the South Korea-U.S. Freedom Shield and the U.S.-Japan Keen Edge drills.

This second session follows up on the trilateral agreement reached during defense ministerial talks in July, further solidifying the strategic coordination between the three countries.

U.S., South Korea, and Japan Mobilize Forces for Training

South Korea has committed significant assets to the exercise, including the Sejong the Great-class destroyer (DDG-911), Chungmugong Yi Sun Sin-class destroyers (DDH-975), P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, and fighter jets F-35A and F-15K.

The U.S. has deployed the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), destroyers USS Higgins (DDG-76) and USS McCampbell (DDG-85), fighter jets, and the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft.

Japan’s contribution includes the destroyer JS Haguro (DDG-180), P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, and fighter jets F-15J and F-2, with close coordination alongside both South Korean and U.S. forces.

The JCS emphasized that the multi-domain training will encompass various operations, including air exercises with fifth-generation fighter jets, maritime missile defense drills, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, anti-piracy operations, air defense exercises, and cyber defense simulations.

Strategic Messaging: A Warning to North Korea and China

The South Korean military authorities explained that the Freedom Edge training is defense-related, enhancing interoperability among the three countries and demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Korean Peninsula.

As indicated by the mention of safeguarding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, analysts suggest this serves as an indirect warning against North Korea and China’s aggressive military activities.

Since President-elect Donald Trump will likely prioritize countering China in his foreign policy agenda, conducting these two rounds of multi-domain training is seen as significant in enhancing military cooperation.

Emphasizing the symbolism and utility of South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation in countering China may attract considerable interest from Trump.

Strengthening cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan is a key achievement of the Biden administration, which even individuals close to Trump acknowledge.

Robert O’Brien, who served as the National Security Advisor during Trump’s first term, has publicly recognized President Biden’s contributions to enhancing trilateral cooperation.

He specifically mentioned the Quad, which includes the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia, as well as AUKUS, formed by the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. He stated that when China tries to divide us, we can push back and contain them by moving together. The idea of a free and open Indo-Pacific is a significant threat to China.

Will North Korea respond with provocations?

Meanwhile, the highlight will be North Korea’s reaction to this training. As the possibility of a North Korea-Russia joint exercise emerges in response to the South Korea-U.S.-Japan training, there are predictions that North Korea may engage in provocations targeting U.S. aircraft carriers.

Previously, North Korea expressed displeasure through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the first Freedom Edge training held in June.

The Ministry stated that the Freedom Edge represents a triangular military bloc’s organization, systematization, and materialization, highlighting its seriousness and danger. Just like NATO conducts annual joint military exercises in various domains, the decision by the U.S., Japan, and South Korea to formalize trilateral multi-domain joint military exercises signifies that they have entirely established an Asian NATO.

They further elaborated, calling it a strategic attempt by the U.S. to pressure Russia and encircle China.