South Korea, U.S., and Japan Joint Chiefs Pledge Continued Cooperation on North Korea Denuclearization

Meeting Held in the U.S.
"Trilateral 'Freedom Edge' Exercises to Continue"

The chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from South Korea, the United States, and Japan met in the United States and agreed to deepen trilateral security cooperation, including continuing to conduct the joint military exercise 'Freedom Edge.'

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the 15th (local time) in Washington, D.C., the 23rd Trilateral Meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea, the United States, and Japan was held, with Chairman Jinyoung Seung of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Kane, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Hiroaki Uchikura, Chief of Staff of Japan's Joint Staff (equivalent to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs) in attendance. Other participants included J.B. Brunsen, Commander of United States Forces Korea, Stephen Zost, Commander of United States Forces Japan, and George Lowell, Deputy Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command.

In a joint statement, the chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from South Korea, the United States, and Japan reaffirmed that trilateral security cooperation is crucial to effectively responding to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, as well as other diverse regional challenges and threats. They also agreed to continue their cooperation towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea. The chairmen further acknowledged the need to deepen cooperation in various domains and stated their intention to continue exploring ways to maintain the momentum of trilateral security cooperation, including conducting the annual 'Freedom Edge' exercise.

Jinyoung Seung, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, poses for a commemorative photo on the 15th (right, local time) at the Pentagon in the United States during the trilateral meeting of the Chiefs of Staff of South Korea, the United States, and Japan, with Dan Kane, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (left), and Hiroaki Uchikura, Chief of Staff of Japan's Joint Staff. Photo by Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Freedom Edge is a multi-domain joint military drill held by South Korea, the United States, and Japan near the Korean Peninsula. The drill has been conducted a total of three times: in June and November of 2024, and in September of last year. The three countries' Joint Chiefs of Staff agreed to hold their next meeting in Japan next year.

Bilateral meetings between the South Korea-U.S. and South Korea-Japan chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were also held alongside this event. The South Korean and U.S. chairmen agreed to closely cooperate to further develop combined operational capabilities through a variety of joint exercises and high-level military exchanges, ensuring that the South Korea-U.S. alliance continues to serve as a key pillar for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.

The South Korean and Japanese chairmen shared the understanding that North Korea's nuclear and missile threats are a common challenge to the security of the Korean Peninsula and the region, and agreed to continue strengthening close communication and information sharing between the two countries. Building on mutual trust, they also agreed to enhance exchange and cooperation between the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Japanese Joint Staff through high-level interactions and practical cooperation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.