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South Korea, U.S. and Japan to Hold Freedom Edge Drill Sept. 15–19 Off Jeju

Seoul calls the annual drill a defensive response to North Korean nuclear and missile threats.

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung and Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reach out to shake hands at joint press announcement after the summit in Tokyo, Japan, August 23, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/Pool/File Photo

Overview

  • The five-day event will occur in international waters east and south of Jeju, with specific force details not disclosed.
  • The exercise will hone coordinated operations across sea, air and cyberspace to improve trilateral interoperability.
  • South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff describe the drill as annual and compliant with international law to support regional stability.
  • This is the third Freedom Edge iteration after June and November 2024 and the first under President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump.
  • North Korea has condemned previous rounds and warned of potential military responses, and the announcement follows a Beijing parade attended by the leaders of North Korea, China and Russia.