North Korea Condemns South Korea-U.S.-Japan Freedom Edge Exercise, Defense Minister Warns of "Countermeasures"

[Financial News] North Korea has condemned the South Korea-U.S.-Japan Freedom Edge, a multidomain military exercise taking place from the 7th to the 11th. The exercise involves major naval and air forces from the three countries and is being conducted in international waters east and south of Jeju Island.
North Korean Defense Minister Kim Sung-gi said in a statement released through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on the 7th, "If the United States and its allies attempt a new military confrontation with us, we will also take strong and immediate countermeasures from a position of strength."
Six naval vessels, including Aegis destroyers, as well as maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets and aerial refueling aircraft are scheduled to participate in this year's South Korea-U.S.-Japan Freedom Edge exercise. Before the exercise began, North Korea had already clashed with the participating countries by opposing Japan's military buildup and South Korea and the United States' policy of denuclearizing North Korea.
The South Korean Navy is reportedly participating in this year's Freedom Edge exercise with the 7,600-ton Aegis destroyers ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong and ROKS Yulgok Yi I, among others. This is the first year that two South Korean Aegis destroyers have taken part in the Freedom Edge exercise.
Japan is participating with the 7,700-ton Aegis destroyer JS Atago, the 5,100-ton destroyer JS Asahi, Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, SH-60K helicopters and F-15 fighter jets.
U.S. forces are expected to participate with the 6,900-ton Aegis destroyer USS Benfold and F-16 fighter jets from United States Forces Korea (USFK). The United States Seventh Fleet (Seventh Fleet) disclosed on X on the 3rd that USS Benfold had arrived at Busan. However, no U.S. aircraft carrier will participate for the second consecutive year, following last year. The first and second Freedom Edge exercises, held in June and November 2024, respectively, included the aircraft carriers USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS George Washington.

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