The South Korean General Staff indicated that ‘Freedom Edge‘ seeks to guarantee stability on the Korean Peninsula in the face of growing threats
South Korea, Japan y USA This Friday, a series of joint military maneuvers, called ‘Freedom Edge’in response to the growing security risk in Asia-Pacific and the close military cooperation between North Korea y Russiawhich includes sending North Korean soldiers to Ukraine to support Moscow.
The three-day exercises, held in international waters around the South Korean island of Jejuwere aimed at strengthening joint defense and stability in the region.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff South Korea (JCS) highlighted that the maneuvers were intended to “defend peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region amid growing security threats”, alluding to the recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by North Korea and its military alliance with Russia.
This exercise reinforces the agreement reached in 2023 by the leaders of USA, Japan y South Korea to enhance defense cooperation and respond to regional threats.
The maneuvers mobilized a significant amount of military resources from the three nations. Among them, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington of the US Navy, the destroyer ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong of South Koreaand the destroyer JS Haguro of Japan, who sailed together in a demonstration of interoperability and mutual commitment.
The joint maneuvers included the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and several destroyers from Japan and South Korea (REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/FILE)
According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the exercise sought to “demonstrate the firm will of Japan, USA y South Korea to promote interoperability and protect freedom for peace and stability of the Indo-Pacificincluding the peninsula of Corea”.
This is the second exercise ‘Freedom Edge’ in the year, after a first round carried out in June. North Korea reacted strongly to these joint exercises, warning that such “provocative acts” would have “fatal consequences.”
However, The three nations reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a defensive posture and have increased their coordination in response to the regime’s continued missile testing. Kim Jong-un.
The first round of exercises ‘Freedom Edge’ It was in June 2023, after an agreement signed by the three nations. On that occasion, the regime North Korea reacted by declaring that the “provocative acts” of the trilateral military exercises would have “fatal consequences.”
On the other hand, the approach of the regime of China to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine worsened Beijing’s relations with Tokyo. Japan repeatedly protested against increasing Chinese military maneuvers near the Japanese archipelago, often in collaboration with Moscow.
China’s rapprochement with Moscow and the intensification of Chinese military activities around Japan have increased Tokyo’s concern (REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/FILE)
In August, Japanese airspace was violated by China for the first time, leading to Japan Air Self-Defense Forces to respond with rapid takeoff maneuvers.
Given the increase in tensions, Japan and South Korea are preparing possible bilateral meetings between their leaders and the president of China, Xi Jinpingwithin the framework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Week which takes place in Lima, Peru, and in the G20 summit in Brazil.
(With information from EFE)
