U.S. preparing for Freedom Edge joint exercise with S. Korea, Japan: U.S. Pacific Command

The United States is set to conduct a joint military exercise with South Korea and Japan, known as Freedom Edge, according to the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM). This trilateral drill is scheduled for 2026 and follows the recent reduction of a bilateral exercise between Seoul and Washington by President Donald Trump. Lieutenant Commander Chloe Morgan, a spokesperson for PACOM, confirmed that the United States is working closely with the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Republic of Korea Armed Forces to prepare for Freedom Edge.

This premier multi-domain exercise aims to strengthen shared values, enhance interoperability, and reinforce defense partnerships to ensure peace and stability in the Pacific region. The PACOM spokesperson did not provide further details on the scope and scale of Freedom Edge this year. The drill was one of the key outcomes from the trilateral Camp David summit in August 2023, marking a significant step in institutionalizing three-way security cooperation among the U.S. and its Asian allies.

Concerns have been raised about whether Freedom Edge will be conducted as planned due to the scaled-back bilateral exercise following Trump's directive, which was seen as potentially sending an inappropriate and hostile message to North Korea.