Trilateral Military Exercise Amidst Regional Tensions
In June 2023, the first Freedom Edge joint exercise brought together members of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, the United States Armed Forces, and the South Korean military. This exercise aimed to enhance interoperability and cooperation among the three nations in the face of growing regional tensions.
The three-day drills, held in the East China Sea and surrounding areas, involved maritime, aerial, and cyber operations. This joint effort comes as North Korea and Russia strengthen their ties, and China continues to assert its maritime claims in the region.
The exercise featured key assets from all three nations, including the U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS George Washington, South Korea's F-35 fighter jets, and Japan's F-15 fighters and destroyer Haguro. Notably, the joint cyberdefense exercise held particular significance, given North Korea's increasing reliance on cyber activities to fund its nuclear weapons program.
The three countries established a working group in 2022 to address Pyongyang's cyber threats. A spokesperson for the Joint Staff of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces stated, "These drills assure us that we can operate together at the highest level against any threat."
However, the upcoming return of Donald Trump as the U.S. president has cast uncertainty over the future of trilateral cooperation. Trump's willingness to engage in direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could potentially undermine the coordinated approach adopted by the Biden administration, which focuses on deterrence.
Japanese defense officials expressed concerns about whether the Freedom Edge initiative will continue under Trump's leadership. "Trump is likely to take a tough stance against China, but it's unclear how he will deal with North Korea," one official said.
Despite these concerns, Japanese officials remain committed to strengthening trilateral cooperation. "Given the fluid international situation, it's important for the three countries to continue working together," another official stated. "Conducting two Freedom Edge exercises this year is a significant achievement.