South Korea, United States and Japan to Hold Freedom Edge Drill as North Korea Issues Threats

South Korea, the United States and Japan will conduct the Freedom Edge joint military exercise from September 9 to 11 in international waters south and east of Jeju Island. The three-day drill is described by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff as defensive, aimed at testing readiness against North Korean missile and nuclear threats and improving joint ballistic-missile defense, anti-submarine warfare and surveillance capabilities.

The Jerusalem PostNPRThe Jerusalem PostThe Straits Times

The Freedom Edge series began in 2024 to increase the sophistication of earlier drills. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump ordered a reduction of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise and cancelled a planned U.S. Marine Corps drill, citing a desire to send a “good relationship” signal to North Korea. Trump has also expressed interest in a new summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who met the president three times in 2018-2019.

The Jerusalem Post

North Korea continues its missile program, with a July 3, 2026 observation of a newly built destroyer’s combat systems and a test firing of a strategic cruise missile reported by state media. The regime launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea in response to the announced trilateral drill, calling the exercises hostile.

NPR

• July 3, 2026 – Kim Jong Un observes assessment of the destroyer *Kang Kon* and a strategic cruise-missile test.

The Jerusalem Post

• August 28, 2026 – South Korea publicly backs Trump’s diplomatic push while stressing security readiness (statement by Wi Sung-lac).

The Straits Times

• September 9-11, 2026 – Planned Freedom Edge drill involving the United States, South Korea and Japan.

The Jerusalem Post

• 10 short-range ballistic missiles launched by North Korea in direct response to the drill announcement.

NPR

• Three-day duration of the Freedom Edge exercise.

The Jerusalem Post

• The drill incorporates simultaneous air and naval components to practice ballistic-missile defense and anti-submarine operations.

NPR

• The South Korean Defense Ministry characterised Freedom Edge as a defensive measure intended to counter North Korean nuclear and missile threats.

NPR

• Wi Sung-lac told reporters that any resumption of U.S.–North Korea dialogue must be coordinated with Seoul and produce substantive progress on the nuclear issue.

The Jerusalem Post

• The North Korean Foreign Ministry accused the United States of a “series of hostile moves,” including a possible sale of air-to-air missiles to South Korea, and pledged a “serious, immediate and powerful response.”

NPR

• President Trump ordered the Pentagon to reduce the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, saying the previous schedule sent the wrong message to North Korea.

The Jerusalem Post

Public sources do not disclose the specific types of missiles the United States may be considering selling to South Korea, nor detailed assessments of the expected operational outcomes of the Freedom Edge exercise. Information on the exact composition of participating forces remains unavailable.

NPR

The Freedom Edge drill will proceed as scheduled from September 9 to 11. North Korea has warned that any perceived hostile moves will elicit a powerful response, suggesting the regional security environment will remain tense in the weeks following the exercise.

NPR