US, Japan, SoKor start new joint military drills

SEOUL (AFP) - South Korea, the United States and Japan kicked off a major new military exercises yesterday, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, as the allies seek to counter growing threats from Pyongyang.

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The drills, dubbed "Freedom Edge," will focus on ballistic missile and air defenses, anti-submarine warfare and defensive cyber training, among other areas, the JCS said in a statement.

The three countries' leaders held a summit last year and agreed to conduct drills every year to demonstrate unity in the face of North Korea's nuclear threats and China's rising regional influence.