South Korea, US and Japan hold joint naval exercises

According to Yonhap news agency, the South Korean navy said that South Korea, the US and Japan held a joint naval exercise to improve their ability to coordinate operations.

In a statement, the South Korean navy stated that the three-way naval exercise took place in international waters south of Jeju Island on April 11-12, with the participation of a total of six warships from the three countries.

The US Navy has sent the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to participate in exercises with two Aegis destroyers from South Korea and Japan.

The exercise also includes drills to prevent illegal transfer of weapons of mass destruction, as well as search and rescue drills for ships in trouble.

According to US and South Korean naval officers, the exercise also aims to improve the ability to provide humanitarian assistance to ships in distress. It is also an opportunity for the three countries' forces to coordinate to better prepare for any crisis or unexpected situation in the region.

This is the latest in a series of joint military exercises held after the US-Japan-South Korea Summit at Camp David (USA) in August 2023.