South Korea, Japan and US to hold North Korea-focused nuclear missile drill

Live updates

1. 15d ago

   US, Japan and South Korea set Freedom Edge drills for September 9-11

   The United States, Japan, and South Korea will conduct Freedom Edge military exercises from September 9 to 11 to counter nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. These drills occur as North Korea reshuffles its military leadership, including the dismissal of Defense Minister No Kwang Chol. While the exercises are defensive, they take place amid a period where Trump has scaled back joint exercises due to rising tensions and talks with Kim Jong Un.

   Why it matters

   These trilateral exercises aim to strengthen regional deterrence against Pyongyang's weapons programs. The timing coincides with internal North Korean structural reorganizations. This military cooperation serves as a counterweight to North Korea's ongoing missile pressure.

   What is confirmed

   • The US, Japan, and South Korea will hold Freedom Edge drills from September 9 to 11.
   • North Korea dismissed Defense Minister No Kwang Chol as part of a military leadership reshuffle.
   • No Kwang Chol was demoted to first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department.

   What to watch next

   • The execution of the Freedom Edge drills on September 9
   • Further leadership changes within the North Korean military
   • Official responses from Kim Jong Un regarding the trilateral exercises
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.deccanherald.com — South Korea, Japan and US to hold North Korea-focused nuclear missile drill
   2. english.aawsat.com — North Korea Defense Minister Dismissed
   3. english.aawsat.com — No Dutch Investigation into Mladic’s Death, Says Tribunal
   4. jen.jiji.com — New academic year in Kazakhstan: Nearly 4 mln pupils return to school
   confidence 100%
2. 18d ago

   South Korea, Japan, US to hold North Korea-focused missile drill

   South Korea, Japan, and the US will conduct a trilateral Freedom Edge military drill in September to address North Korean nuclear and missile threats. The exercise, which is defensive in nature, will be held in international waters near Jeju Island from September 7-11. This move comes as North Korea ramps up pressure on the US.

   Why it matters

   The drill is a response to North Korea's increasing military activities and threats. The three countries have been strengthening their cooperation to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. The US, South Korea, and Japan have been conducting joint drills to enhance their interoperability and readiness.

   What is confirmed

   • The annual Freedom Edge drills will be held in international waters.
   • The drills will be conducted near Jeju Island from September 7-11.
   • The exercise is defensive in nature and aims to address North Korean nuclear and missile threats.
   • The US, South Korea, and Japan are conducting the drill in response to North Korea's increasing military activities.

   What to watch next

   • North Korea's response to the trilateral drill
   • The effectiveness of the drill in deterring North Korea's military activities
   • Further developments in US-North Korea relations
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. Reuters — South Korea, Japan and US to hold North Korea-focused nuclear missile drill
   2. NPR — U.S., South Korea and Japan to hold drill as North Korea ramps up pressure on U.S.
   3. Nikkei Asia — Japan, South Korea and US to hold joint military drills, Seoul says
   4. South China Morning Post — South Korea, Japan and US to hold trilateral Freedom Edge drills in September
   5. upi.com — U.S., S. Korea, Japan to hold Freedom Edge drills in September
   6. Yonhap News Agency — U.S. preparing for Freedom Edge joint exercise with S. Korea, Japan: U.S. Pacific Command
   7. www.straitstimes.com — South Korea, Japan and US to hold North Korea-focused nuclear missile drill
   8. www.turkiyetoday.com — South Korea, US, Japan to hold Freedom Edge drills in September
   9. www.military.com — US, South Korea and Japan to Hold Trilateral Drill as North Korea Ramps Up Pressure on US
   10. wskg.org — U.S., South Korea and Japan to hold drill as North Korea ramps up pressure on U.S.
   confidence 100%