SEOUL, South Korea (KLTV) – A trilateral military drill involving thousands of U.S., South Korea, and Japanese military personnel begins Monday in the waters near South Korea’s Jeju island.
Freedom Edge 26, the fourth such exercise since 2024, looks to expand cooperation between the three nations.
“This year’s iteration features enhanced real-time data sharing and synchronized coordination among all three nations to defend against evolving regional threats,” a news release stated.
Earlier this Summer, a meeting of the three countries’ defense chiefs pledged expanded security cooperation, including through Freedom Edge drills, to counter growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.
Among Freedom Edge 26’s focus, includes air defense scenarios, medical evacuation training, and maritime interdiction operations.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense said the three countries are committed to stability in the Indo-Pacific region by shaping “a security environment that does not tolerate unilateral changes to the status quo by force.”
On August 31, North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the announcement of the trilateral drills, rejecting U.S. policy calling for North Korea’s denuclearization as a precondition for diplomacy.
“Our nukes serve as an absolute guarantee for defending its sovereignty.”
North Korea has launched multiple missiles in recent weeks, according to U.S. Pacific Command.
The U.S. and South Korea concluded their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise on August 27, six days earlier than originally planned, at the direction of the U.S. President.
Last month, President Donald Trump announced on social media that he had ordered the drills be scaled back, calling them “costly” and “hostile” toward North Korea.
“Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea,” President Trump posted on Truth Social.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung responded to President Trump’s decision, posting on X that he hoped it would lead to a resumption of dialogue about establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.
KLTV & KTRE anchor Lane Luckie is traveling to South Korea to explore the ties between East Texas and one of America’s closest allies. Click here for more coverage.
Copyright 2026 KLTV. All rights reserved.