(LEAD) S. Korea, U.S., Japan kick off 3-way military exercise

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(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 10-15) By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea, the United States and Japan began a five-day joint military exercise Monday, proceeding on schedule even as key Seoul-Washington drills were recently scaled back upon U.S. President Donald Trump's order.

The multidomain Freedom Edge exercise kicked off in international waters east and south of South Korea's southern island of Jeju, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a press release.

"The three nations will leverage the drills to enhance operational capabilities and joint response capabilities across multiple domains, including maritime, air and cyber, while maintaining a robust and stable cooperative relationship," the JCS said.

The drills will involve major maritime and air assets from armed forces of the three countries, with a joint exercise control group overseeing the operations for their systematic and safe execution, the Korean military said.

The JCS stressed the exercise is an annual drill of a defensive nature, conducted in accordance with international law and norms.

"It is aimed at enhancing deterrence and response capabilities against North Korean nuclear and missile threats, while safeguarding regional peace and stability," it added.

South Korean and U.S. warships participate in the Freedom Edge exercise in international waters south of Jeju Island on Sept. 16, 2025, in this photo provided by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

This year's Freedom Edge, its fourth iteration since the inaugural launch in June 2024, is being held to its schedule despite the scaling back last month of the bilateral Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise between South Korea and the U.S.

The UFS was scaled back by half after Trump ordered to reduce the drills, in an apparent conciliatory gesture toward North Korea. Pyongyang has long denounced the allies' drills as war rehearsals.

In Monday's readout, the JCS did not elaborate on what military assets will participate in Freedom Edge, although a JCS official said earlier the exercise will be on par with previous years in scope and scale.

The three countries will deploy six Aegis-equipped destroyers, along with maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets and refueling tanker aircraft, sources familiar with the matter said.

The South Korean Navy is deploying the 7,600-ton ROKS Yulgok Yi I and ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong destroyers, according to the sources.

Japan's Joint Staff of the Self-Defense Forces said last month it will deploy the 7,700-ton Atago and 5,100-ton Asahi destroyers, the P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, the SH-60K helicopters and F-15 fighter jets.

The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet revealed on social media last week the arrival of its 6,900-ton Arleigh Burke-class USS Benfold at a port in South Korea's southern city of Busan, in a possible sign that it is joining the trilateral drills.

Last year's drills were held without a U.S. aircraft carrier, its first absence since the inaugural drills, as U.S. carrier strike groups were deployed to the Middle East.

No U.S. aircraft carrier is expected to participate in this week's Freedom Edge, given the ongoing U.S. war against Iran, according to sources.

Announcing plans for the 2026 Freedom Edge in late August, the U.S. Pacific Command said the exercise will feature enhanced real-time data sharing and synchronized coordination among the three countries, with enhanced air defense scenarios and maritime interdiction operations.

The second and third Freedom Edge were held in November of 2024 and in September last year.

elly@yna.co.kr (END)

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(LEAD) S. Korea, U.S., Japan kick off 3-way military exercise

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（注：第10-15段补充细节）金承妍

首尔，9月7日（韩联社）——韩国、美国和日本周一开始为期五天的联合军事演习，尽管最近根据美国总统唐纳德·特朗普的命令缩减了首尔和华盛顿之间的一些重要演习，但此次演习仍按计划进行。

韩国联合参谋本部（JCS）在一份新闻稿中表示，多域“自由边缘”演习在韩国南部济州岛以东和以南的国际水域拉开帷幕。

“三国将利用此次演习，提升包括海上、空中和网络空间在内的多个领域的作战能力和联合应对能力，同时保持稳固稳定的合作关系，”联合参谋部表示。

韩国军方表示，此次演习将动用三国军队的主要海上和空中力量，并由联合演习控制小组监督演习行动，以确保演习的系统性和安全性。

联合参谋部强调，此次演习是一年一度的防御性演习，是按照国际法和国际规范进行的。

声明还补充说：“其目的是增强对朝鲜核导弹威胁的威慑和应对能力，同时维护地区和平与稳定。”

2025年9月16日，韩国和美国军舰在济州岛以南的国际水域参加“自由边缘”联合军演。这张照片由韩国联合参谋本部提供。（照片不得出售）（韩联社）

今年的“自由边缘”军演是自2024年6月首次启动以来的第四次演习，尽管上个月韩美两国之间的“乙支自由之盾”（UFS）双边联合军演规模有所缩减，但该军演仍将按计划进行。

在特朗普下令减少联合部队演习后，演习规模缩减了一半，这显然是对朝鲜的一种和解姿态。平壤长期以来一直谴责盟军的演习是战争彩排。

在周一的通报中，参谋长联席会议没有详细说明哪些军事力量将参加“自由边缘”演习，尽管一位参谋长联席会议官员早些时候表示，此次演习的规模和范围将与往年持平。

据知情人士透露，这三个国家将部署六艘配备宙斯盾系统的驱逐舰，以及海上巡逻机、战斗机和加油机。

消息人士称，韩国海军正在部署排水量为7600吨的“栗谷李一号”和“西爱柳成龙”号驱逐舰。

日本自卫队联合参谋部上个月表示，将部署排水量为7700吨的“爱宕”号驱逐舰和排水量为5100吨的“朝日”号驱逐舰、P-1海上巡逻机、SH-60K直升机和F-15战斗机。

美国海军第七舰队上周在社交媒体上透露，其6900吨级的阿利·伯克级驱逐舰“本福尔德”号已抵达韩国南部城市釜山的港口，这可能是该舰将参加三边联合军演的迹象。

去年的演习没有美国航空母舰参加，这是自首次演习以来美国航母首次缺席，因为美国航母打击群被部署到中东。

据消息人士透露，鉴于美国目前仍在与伊朗交战，预计本周的“自由边缘”军演将不会有美国航空母舰参加。

美国太平洋司令部在 8 月下旬宣布了 2026 年“自由边缘”演习的计划，称此次演习将加强三国之间的实时数据共享和同步协调，并增强防空场景和海上拦截行动。

第二届和第三届自由边缘大会分别于 2024 年 11 月和去年 9 月举行。

elly@yna.co.kr（完）

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（导语）韩国、美国、日本启动三方联合军事演习