The ROK-US Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted ‘ROK-US-Japan maritime training’ in the high seas southeast of Jeju on November 26.

This exercise is intended to demonstrate the close cooperation and operational capabilities of South Korea, the United States, and Japan in a situation where North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats are becoming more sophisticated, such as North Korea’s launch of a military reconnaissance satellite using ballistic missile technology despite the condemnation and dissuasion of our government and the international community. 

The ROK Navy Aegis destroyer Sejong the Great (DDG), the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN), Aegis destroyers Sterett (DDG) and Kidd (DDG), and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kirisame (DD) participated in the exercise. 

Participating forces include air defense training assuming a provocation situation by North Korean missiles and aircraft, and maritime maneuver training for coordinated and rapid maneuver to the target sea area, amidst increasing aerial threats such as North Korea’s launch of a military reconnaissance satellite and the unveiling of a new unmanned aerial vehicle last July. was carried out.

Commander Kim Seong-pil (Colonel) of King Sejong said, “This training served as an opportunity to strengthen the response capabilities and posture of Korea, the United States, and Japan in a situation where North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats are intensifying,” and “As agreed between the defense ministers of Korea, the United States, and Japan, this is a multi-year trilateral exercise.” “If a plan is established and trilateral training is expanded to various areas, we will be able to further strengthen our deterrence and response posture against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats,” he said.