South Korea, Japan, US to Hold Defence Drills on Heels of North Korea Attending China Parade

South Korean Navy's destroyer Yulgok Yi I (R), U.S. Navy's USS Benfold (C), and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's JS Atago (L) sail in formation during a joint naval exercise in international waters at an undisclosed location on April 17, 2023. South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images

SEOUL—South Korea, Japan, and the United States will conduct annual defensive drills starting on Sept. 15 to upgrade aerial, naval, and cyber operational capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, South Korea’s military said on Friday.

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.