South Korea, U.S. and Japan hold joint aerial drill against North Korea

Top military officials from South Korea, the United States, and Japan held talks in Seoul and urged North Korea to stop activities that destabilise the region, as the three allies conducted a joint air exercise on South Korea’s southern Jeju island.

The trilateral meeting on Friday brought together the chairmen of the joint chiefs of staff — South Korea’s Kim Myung-soo, the United States' Dan Caine, and Japan’s Yoshida Yoshihide — amid growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. In a joint statement, the three nations called on North Korea to end its 'unlawful activities' and pledged continued coordination to counter its threats.

The officials also discussed North Korea's alleged deployment of troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine and concerns that Moscow could transfer sensitive military technologies in return, potentially enhancing North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

Alongside the meeting, the three nations carried out a joint aerial drill in international waters south of Jeju Island. The exercise featured U.S. B-52H bombers and aimed to strengthen deterrence against North Korea’s advancing weapons capabilities.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in North Korea for a three-day visit, as part of deepening strategic talks with Pyongyang. Analysts suggest the visit may lay the groundwork for a future trip by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Russia.

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