On 22 October 2023, the militaries of South Korea, the United States of America (USA) and Japan conducted a trilateral air exercise for the first time in response to North Korea’s nuclear threats.[1]
The purpose of the training off the Korean Peninsula was to implement the agreements previously reached by the three countries, increase defence cooperation against threats emanating from North Korea, and strengthen joint response capabilities. A nuclear-capable B-52 bomber from the US and fighter jets from South Korea and Japan participated in the exercise. [2]
South Korea and Japan are two important US allies in Asia, home to around 80,000 American troops.
The three countries have previously conducted trilateral naval exercises, such as anti-submarine or missile defence drills. The 22 October 2023 exercise was the first time a trilateral air training flight took place.
These manoeuvres highlight the security cooperation between South Korea, the US and Japan. North Korea’s growing nuclear threats highlight the need for these countries to maintain regional stability and develop strong defence cooperation.
In fact, South Korean public opinion has reacted against the expansion of military exercises with Japan. This is because there is still a strong resentment against Japan’s activities on the Korean Peninsula during the 1910-1945 period. However, North Korea’s advancing nuclear programme is prompting South Korea to put historical disagreements with Japan behind it and establish a trilateral security cooperation with the US and Japan.
South Korea’s sensitivity to expanding military exercises with Japan is important. This reflects the impact of past historical disputes on security co-operation. The North Korean nuclear threat is leading these countries to put aside historical bitterness and build broader security co-operation.
In August 2023, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met at Camp David in a trilateral summit and agreed to strengthen defence cooperation to deal with North Korea’s nuclear threats. The three leaders agreed to organise annual trilateral exercises and to implement real-time North Korean missile warning data sharing by the end of the year.
South Korea and Japan can be said to be allies of the United States in Asia. This is a concrete outcome of the US efforts to maintain its military presence and defence cooperation in the region.
The exercise on 22 October 2023 could provoke a strong reaction from North Korea, which has long reacted to South Korea’s training exercises with the United States, calling them “preparations for invasion” and responding with missile tests. Pyongyang has condemned the Camp David Accords and accused the leaders of the United States, South Korea and Japan of planning nuclear war provocations on the Korean Peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called Yoon, Biden and Kishida “gang leaders” of the three countries [3]
It is expected that North Korea will react to this trilateral exercise. North Korea may consider the military exercises with South Korea and the United States as a provocation and may retaliate. This could increase tensions in the region. On the other hand, North Korea’s advancement of its nuclear programme and threats to use nuclear weapons raise concerns in the region.
Concerns about North Korea’s nuclear programme deepened after Pyongyang passed a law authorising the use of nuclear weapons last year. Since then, North Korea has threatened to use these weapons in potential conflicts with the United States and South Korea.
As a result, regional security dynamics and co-operation between South Korea, the US and Japan are of high importance for regional security. North Korea’s nuclear threat leads these countries to seek closer defence cooperation. However, factors such as historical issues and North Korea’s reaction complicate these efforts.
[1] “South Korea, US and Japan Hold First-Ever Trilateral Aerial Exercise in Face of North Korean Threats”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-japan-us-aerial-drills-fc04a9b22a04b118d774ed70837b7aeb, (Erişim Tarihi: 23.10.2023).
[2] Same page.
[3] Aynı yer.
