South Korea, the US and Japan carried out joint maneuvers in response to the launch of the North Korean hypersonic missile

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South Korea, the United States, and Japan joined forces for joint naval exercises in the waters south of the Korean Peninsula in response to North Korea’s recent test launch of a hypersonic missile. The exercises, conducted near Jeju Island, included the participation of a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and aimed to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the three nations against the North Korean nuclear and missile threat.

The maneuvers, which took place from Monday to Wednesday, featured nine ships from the three countries, including the USS Carl Vinson, USS Kidd, USS Sterett, USS Princeton, ROK Sejong El Grande, ROK Wang Geon, and JS Kongo. The exercises were the first to be carried out by Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo since the launch of a real-time information exchange system on North Korean launches, reflecting a concerted effort to counter Pyongyang’s weapons development.

North Korea’s recent weapons tests, including the solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile with a hypersonic warhead, have heightened concerns and tensions in the region. The hypersonic and solid-fuel projectiles are known for being more maneuverable and difficult to detect and shoot down.

In light of these developments, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un made a significant diplomatic shift by advocating for the elimination of any reference to the possibility of reunification with South Korea in the North Korean constitution. He also declared the country as his main enemy and threatened open war if Seoul violates its territory.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol responded by affirming that any provocation from the North would be met with a “multiple times stronger” response and emphasized the “overwhelming response capabilities” of his military.

In a speech before the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim called for new legal measures to formally define South Korea as “the most hostile country” and expressed intentions to occupy, subjugate, and annex South Korea in the event of war.

The joint naval exercises serve as a demonstration of the coordinated efforts of South Korea, the United States, and Japan to address the growing threat posed by North Korea’s missile development program. These exercises also underscore the growing tensions and challenges in the region as North Korea continues to pursue advanced missile technologies.