South Korea’s military announced on Friday that the U.S., Japan, and South Korea will begin annual defence drills on September 15 to strengthen air, naval, and cyber capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.
The “Freedom Edge” exercise is an annual drill designed to implement regional peace and stability, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, adding that the drill will be conducted in compliance with international law.
The military did not provide more details on the exercise, including the number of troops or types of equipment involved.
The exercise follows large-scale 10-day troop mobilisation drills by the South Korean and U.S. militaries last month to assess their defence readiness against North Korean threats, which Pyongyang criticised as proof of the allies’ hostile intent against it.
The announcement comes after a dramatic appearance by the leaders of North Korea, Russia and China in Beijing this week at a major military parade that showcased China’s military might in a show of solidarity against the West.
Kim’s Summit With Xi, Putin
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un concluded his visit by holding a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, reaffirming his support for China’s interests as he seeks to restore close ties with his country’s main economic benefactor.
Kim also held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kim offered his full support to Vladimir Putin, vowing to do “everything I can to assist” Moscow, while the Russian president expressed gratitude to Pyongyang for dispatching troops to fight in the war against Ukraine.
“If there is anything I can or must do for you and the Russian people, I consider it my duty as a fraternal obligation,” Kim told Putin.
Putin addressed Kim as “Dear Chairman of State Affairs” in Russian and extended his warmest greetings. The two countries are bound by a 2024 mutual defence treaty, and both face heavy international sanctions – Russia for its war in Ukraine and North Korea for its nuclear weapons programme.
“Recently, relations between our countries have assumed a special, trusting and friendly character, and an allied character,” Putin said, and praised North Korean special forces that were deployed to help Russian troops. “Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically.”
Separately, South Korea’s defence ministry said on Friday that Japan’s defence minister and the chair of the NATO Military Committee will attend the Seoul Defence Dialogue of senior military officials from around the world starting on Monday.
(With inputs from Reuters)
