U.S., South Korea, and Japan joined forces in a naval missile defense exercise on July 16 in response to North Korea's recent missile launch. The drill aimed to counter the evolving nuclear and missile threats posed by Pyongyang, which fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) known as the Hwasong-18 off its east coast on July 12.
The trilateral exercise took place in international waters between South Korea and Japan, bringing together destroyers equipped with Aegis radar systems from all three countries. While South Korea and Japan are individually connected to U.S. radar systems, they have not been directly linked to each other's systems. This joint drill was seen as an opportunity to improve the information-sharing system on North Korea's missiles and enhance coordination among the allies.
The military exercise focused on simulating a response to a North Korean ballistic missile launch by employing a virtual target scenario. The goal was to enhance the allies' capabilities in effectively countering such threats and showcasing the strength of their response systems through trilateral cooperation.
A South Korean Navy officer expressed confidence in the military's ability to address North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations.
"We will effectively respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats with our military's strong response system and the trilateral cooperation," the navy officer stated.
The United States, South Korea, and Japan strongly condemned North Korea's ICBM launch. However, Pyongyang brushed off the criticism, asserting that the launch was a legitimate exercise of its right to self-defense.
In recent days, North Korea has voiced complaints about alleged American spy planes flying over its exclusive economic zone waters, criticized a recent visit by a U.S. nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine to South Korea, and vowed to take retaliatory measures.
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