South Korea, Japan and U.S. conduct air drill as defence chiefs meet

South Korea, Japan, and the United States carried out a joint air exercise on Friday over international waters, involving a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber and fighter jets from Seoul and Tokyo, South Korea’s defence ministry announced.

This marks the first deployment of a U.S. B-52H strategic bomber to the Korean Peninsula in 2025. The drill aims to strengthen deterrence against North Korea amid its growing nuclear and missile threats, the ministry said.

In addition to the exercise, defence chiefs from the three nations convened in Seoul for their annual meeting. The officials reaffirmed the importance of close trilateral cooperation to address evolving security threats not only from North Korea but also across the broader Indo-Pacific region.

“We're charting a shared future—one built on continuous collaboration, growing capability, and shared responsibility,” said General Dan Caine, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, in his opening remarks.

Caine also warned of rising military activity by North Korea and China, noting that both are expanding their military forces with a clear intention to advance their own strategic interests. “We must remain vigilant,” he added.

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