United States and Its Asian Allies Train Amidst Rising Tensions with China and North Korea.

The United States concluded its first multidomain exercise with Japan and South Korea in the East China Sea on Saturday, June 29, 2024, marking a significant step in strengthening Washington’s security alliances with key Asian partners in the face of increasing threats from North Korea and China.
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 An F/A-18F Super Hornet during exercise Freedom Edge, June 28, 2024. (Picture source: US DoD)

The three-day "Freedom Edge" exercise increased the complexity of previous drills with simultaneous air and naval operations aimed at improving joint ballistic-missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and other essential capabilities. This exercise, expected to expand in the coming years, also aimed to enhance the sharing of missile warnings among the countries, a crucial capability as North Korea continues to develop sophisticated systems.

Beyond Australia, Japan and South Korea stand out as the only U.S. allies in the region with sufficiently advanced military forces to effectively integrate operations with the United States. This integration allows South Korea, for instance, to quickly relay detected targets to its Japanese or American counterparts for immediate response.

However, these exercises risk increasing tensions, with China frequently condemning such maneuvers within what it considers its sphere of influence, and North Korea criticizing the arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier group in Busan as “provocative” and “dangerous.” On Wednesday, following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to the Roosevelt, North Korea tested what it claimed to be a multiwarhead missile, the first known launch of this developmental weapon. South Korean and American military authorities assessed this launch as a failure.

Defense cooperation involving Japan and South Korea is politically sensitive for both nations due to historical resentments over Japan’s occupation of Korea during World War II. Japan and South Korea host the largest presence of U.S. troops in East Asia, with approximately 80,000 American soldiers stationed on their territories, but the United States has generally dealt with them separately due to historical tensions.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s increased defense spending and cooperation with South Korea have been well received in Japan but have caused friction within his own party. Meanwhile, domestic support for President Yoon has declined, though he remains committed to this path. Both leaders seek to strengthen their defense ties with Washington ahead of the arrival of a new U.S. president. South Korean officials have recently expressed hopes of signing a formal security framework agreement with the United States and Japan this year to ensure a unified response to potential North Korean aggression.

President Joe Biden’s administration has prioritized strengthening cooperation between South Korea and Japan, a challenging task at the beginning of his term. Former President Donald Trump strained relations by demanding higher payments for the deployment of American troops while engaging in direct talks with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Biden, however, seeks to solidify alliances through sophisticated exercises and diplomatic agreements.

Tensions with North Korea are at a peak, with Kim Jong Un’s weapons programs advancing despite heavy international sanctions. Meanwhile, China is expanding its military capabilities, boasting the world’s largest navy and asserting claims over Taiwan and the majority of the South China Sea.

China and North Korea remain close allies of Russia in its war against Ukraine, while Russia and China also provide key support to North Korea and Myanmar’s military regime. Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un formed a mutual defense pact, increasing regional concerns.

Despite having fewer ships, the strength of the U.S. Navy lies in its network of allied ports and advanced technology, a key advantage over China’s limited port access for operations. Strengthening security partnerships in the region, including with Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and Taiwan, remains a priority for the Biden administration. The strength of the U.S. Navy lies not only in its ships but also in its vast network of allied ports. Aware of this strength, the United States is doubling down by increasing partnerships across the region.