Exercise Freedom Edge

The United States, South Korea and Japan are conducting an air and naval exercise off a South Korean island in their latest joint drill condemned by North Korea as a “reckless show of strength.”

• The exercise called ‘Freedom Edge’ is aimed at strengthening the countries’ combined operational capabilities in the sea, air and cyberspace and is necessary to counter North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats.

• The exercise off South Korea’s southern Jeju Island runs through 19 September.