South Korea's military said it will hold a three-day joint exercise with the US and Japan, starting today, with the participation of fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft, as well as the American aircraft carrier "George Washington", reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
The "Freedom Edge“ is in response to what the South Korean military said were threats from North Korea, which recently test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that drew condemnation from Seoul, Tokyo and Washington.
The drills also come after the US State Department said North Korean soldiers had begun taking part in combat operations in Russia in the war with Ukraine.
The trilateral exercise follows the first round held earlier this year after the leaders of the three countries agreed at a summit in 2023 to hold annual training exercises.
Pyongyang has long condemned joint exercises between South Korea and the US, calling them a rehearsal for an invasion.
In a statement yesterday, the US Air Force said it will phase out its A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft in key regions, including South Korea, in fiscal year 2025 as part of a modernization strategy.