Japan, South Korea, and the United States have conducted a joint naval missile defense exercise in response to North Korea’s “nuclear and missile threats,” following the recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by Pyongyang.
On Sunday, the joint drill took place in international waters between South Korea and Japan, involving destroyers equipped with Aegis radar systems from all three countries, as confirmed by the South Korean Navy.
During the exercise, naval officers practiced procedures to detect and track a computer-simulated ballistic target while sharing relevant information.
In response to recent events, North Korea launched its latest Hwasong-18 missile from the east coast on Wednesday, considering it a “strong practical warning” to its adversaries. The launch followed heated complaints from North Korea about US spy planes flying over its exclusive economic zone waters and condemning the visit of a US nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine to South Korea. Pyongyang also threatened to take further actions in response.
The ICBM launch received strong condemnation from Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington, who deemed it a “clear, flagrant violation” of numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions, posing a serious threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.
The South Korean Navy stated that Sunday’s joint drills provided a valuable opportunity to enhance their military’s response capabilities against ballistic missiles while fostering improved security cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the US.
“We will effectively respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats with our military’s strong response system and the trilateral cooperation,” it added.
Efforts to enhance information-sharing on North Korea’s missiles have been underway among the US and its Asian allies.
Currently, South Korea and Japan are individually connected to US radar systems but lack direct links with each other’s systems.