On November 3, 2024, the U.S. joined South Korea and Japan in joint air drills that featured the deployment of a B-1B bomber to the region. This exercise was a direct response to North Korea’s launch of the Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which set a record for the longest flight time of any missile fired by North Korea to date. South Korean F-15K and KF-16 jets, along with Japanese F-2 fighters, participated in the drill, underscoring a strong trilateral defense posture aimed at deterring North Korean threats. The South Korean military highlighted that the exercises reaffirm the commitment of the ROK-U.S. alliance to extended deterrence against North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile programs. This marked the fourth time in 2024 that the U.S. utilized a strategic bomber in exercises around the Korean Peninsula.
Building on these air drills, a larger multidomain military exercise took place from November 13, 2024, near South Korea’s Jeju Island. Spanning three days, the exercise involved both naval and aerial operations in international waters and was designed to strengthen interoperability among the U.S., Japanese, and South Korean forces. This drill, part of the ongoing “Freedom Edge” series, emphasized collaboration across multiple domains, including air, sea, and cyber operations. The “Freedom Edge” series began earlier in June 2024, reflecting the nation’s commitment to deepening trilateral cooperation amid mounting regional threats.
These exercises come against the backdrop of heightened concerns over North Korea’s growing military capabilities, particularly its nuclear ambitions and increasingly frequent missile tests. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has justified these actions as defensive measures against perceived threats from the U.S. and its allies. The situation is further complicated by reports of North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia, adding another layer of complexity to an already tense geopolitical environment.
By conducting these drills, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea aim to project a unified front, signaling their shared resolve to address security challenges posed by North Korea’s aggressive actions. The enhanced military cooperation among these nations highlights their strategic alignment in deterring potential threats in the region.