Anchor: South Korea, the United States and Japan are conducting their second trilateral multidomain exercise in international waters south of South Korea’s Jeju Island. The U.S. Navy’s USS George Washington aircraft carrier, South Korea’s ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong destroyer and Japan’s JS Haguro destroyer are joining the three-day drill along with fifth-generation fighter jets, as the three nations strengthen security cooperation against North Korea.
Kim Bum-soo has more. 

Report: South Korea, the United States and Japan are holding their trilateral multidomain Freedom Edge exercise this week. 

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS), this year’s second Freedom Edge exercise runs Wednesday to Friday in international waters south of Jeju Island. 

In accordance with the agreement they made during the Camp David summit in August last year, the three nations conducted their first-ever trilateral multidomain exercise in June, involving simultaneous drills in surface, underwater, air and cyber warfare.

The JCS said this week’s Freedom Edge will include an aerial drill involving fifth-generation fighter jets, as well as maritime missile defense training, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction and defensive cyber training.

South Korea will mobilize two Navy destroyers, including the Aegis destroyer the Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, as well as a P-3 maritime patrol aircraft and the F-35A and F-15K fighter jets.

The exercise will also feature the U.S. Navy’s USS George Washington aircraft carrier and Japan’s JS Haguro destroyer.

This year’s Freedom Edge exercise comes in the wake of North Korea’s Hwasong-19 ICBM launch last month, which the North called the ultimate version of its long-range missile series.
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.