---
title: "South Korea, Japan and US to hold defence drills on heels of North Korea attending China parade"
description: "SEOUL, Sept 5 (Reuters) - South Korea, Japan and the US will conduct annual defensive drills starting on September 15 to upgrade aerial, naval and cyber operational capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, South Korea's military said on Friday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-05-south-korea-japan-and-us-to-hold-defence-drills-on-heels-of-north-korea-attending-china-parade/"
published: "2025-09-05T05:22:20"
updated: "2025-09-05T05:22:21"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 225
---

# South Korea, Japan and US to hold defence drills on heels of North Korea attending China parade

> SEOUL, Sept 5 (Reuters) - South Korea, Japan and the US will conduct annual defensive drills starting on September 15 to upgrade aerial, naval and cyber operational capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, South Korea's military said on Friday.

By Reuters · Published 5 September 2025, 07:22 SAST · Updated 5 September 2025, 07:22 SAST

## Key points
- In a bid to keep the peace while flexing their military muscles, South Korea gears up for the "Freedom Edge" exercise, all while North Korea cozies up to its pals in Beijing and Moscow, proving that in the world of geopolitics, the only thing more predictable than a military drill is a show of solidarity among authoritarian regimes.
- South Korea announces the annual "Freedom Edge" military exercise aimed at enhancing regional peace and stability, adhering to international law.
- Details on troop numbers and equipment for the exercise remain undisclosed amid rising tensions.
- The drill follows recent South Korea-U.S. troop mobilisations, condemned by North Korea as evidence of hostile intentions.
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's recent summit with Xi Jinping and talks with Putin highlight strengthening ties among China, Russia, and North Korea.

## Content

The "Freedom Edge" exercise is an annual drill designed to implement regional peace and stability, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, adding that the drill will be conducted in compliance with international law.

The military did not provide more details on the exercise, including the number of troops or types of equipment involved.

The exercise follows large-scale 10-day troop mobilisation drills by the South Korean and U.S. militaries last month to assess their defence readiness against North Korean threats, which Pyongyang criticised as proof of the allies' hostile intent against it.

The announcement comes after a dramatic [appearance](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3UP07F&linkedFromStory=true) by the leaders of North Korea, Russia and China in Beijing this week at a major [military parade](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3UQ02D&linkedFromStory=true)that showcased China's military might in a show of solidarity against the West.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un concluded his visit by holding a [summit](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3UR12V&linkedFromStory=true) with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, reaffirming his support for China's interests as he seeks to restore close ties with his country's main economic benefactor.

Kim also held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Separately, South Korea's defence ministry said on Friday that Japan's defence minister and the chair of the NATO Military Committee will attend the Seoul Defense Dialogue of senior military officials from around the world starting on Monday.

(Reporting by Jack KimEditing by Ed Davies)