After North Korea Launches Long-range Ballistic Missiles, South Korea And Its Allies Do War Exercises

The United States (US) nuclear-powered submarine docked at a port dock in Busan, South Korea (ANTARA/Yonhap via Reuters/nym.)

South Korea, the United States and Japan held a trilateral missile defense exercise in the East Sea international waters on Sunday 16 July, according to a South Korean Navy statement, after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last week. As reported by ANTARA, the exercise was carried out in order for all three countries to strengthen security coordination amid Pyongyang's continuing attack, with the peak launch of the Hwasong-18 dense-fuel ICBM last Wednesday. The trilateral exercise involved three destroyers equipped with Aegis RoKS Yulgok Yi I from South Korea, US USS John Finn and JS Maya from the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces, according to military information.. "Based on our good military response system and trilateral coordination, (we) will effectively respond to nuclear threats and North Korean missiles," the official said.

The last three countries conducted a three-way missile defense exercise in April. Sunday's drills became the fourth exercise under the government of Yoon Suk Yeol, who has attempted to increase trilateral coordination against Pyongyang's military threats. In a show of strength against the launch of North Korean, South Korea and the US ICBM also held joint air exercises on Thursday, involving US B-52H bombers.