Seoul, Sept. 07 (SANA) South Korea, the United States and Japan began a five-day joint military exercise Monday in international waters near Jeju Island, southern South Korea, as Seoul continued efforts to revive dialogue with North Korea.
South Korea‘s Joint Chiefs of Staff, cited by Yonhap News Agency, said the multi-domain Freedom Edge exercise involves naval and air assets and is intended to strengthen coordination in maritime, air and cyber operations and improve responses to North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
The military said the drills are defensive and being conducted in accordance with international law and standards. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the exercise includes real-time data sharing, air defense and maritime interdiction training.
The drills are the fourth Freedom Edge exercise since the trilateral training program was launched in June 2024.
The exercise comes as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung seeks to help revive dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang and ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde published Sunday and cited by Yonhap, Lee described his intended role as a “rhythm coordinator” helping create conditions for renewed U.S.-North Korea dialogue.
Lee said dismantling the “wall of distrust” between the two Koreas could not be achieved overnight and that his administration would continue pursuing peaceful coexistence to reduce tensions and build peace.
On relations with Washington, Lee said recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump should be viewed in the context of restructuring the alliance to meet changing circumstances rather than as an attempt to undermine it.
Lee said Seoul was seeking a greater role in the alliance through increased defense spending and stronger military capabilities.
The South Korean president is on a four-day visit to France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
R.H/R.K
