US, South Korea and Japan open joint air and naval exercise

The United States, South Korea, and Japan launched a joint air and naval exercise, Freedom Edge, off South Korea's Jeju Island, prompting condemnation from North Korea, which labeled it a “reckless show of strength.”

The drill aims to boost operational capabilities in response to North Korea’s nuclear threats and includes enhanced missile defense training and medical evacuations.Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea's leader, criticized the exercise, warning it will lead to “bad results.”

The exercise, which runs until Friday, highlights escalating tensions in the region amid North Korea's growing military relations with Russia and China.