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South Korea Rejects U.S.-Japan Trilateral Air Drills Over Takeshima Day Timing

Updated (5 articles)
  • This file photo, provided by the Army, shows troops boarding a CH-47 helicopter during a joint aerial exercise between South Korea and the U.S. militaries on March 19, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    This file photo, provided by the Army, shows troops boarding a CH-47 helicopter during a joint aerial exercise between South Korea and the U.S. militaries on March 19, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This file photo, provided by the Army, shows troops boarding a CH-47 helicopter during a joint aerial exercise between South Korea and the U.S. militaries on March 19, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This file photo, provided by the Army, shows troops boarding a CH-47 helicopter during a joint aerial exercise between South Korea and the U.S. militaries on March 19, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    This file photo, provided by the Army, shows troops boarding a CH-47 helicopter during a joint aerial exercise between South Korea and the U.S. militaries on March 19, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This file photo, provided by the Army, shows troops boarding a CH-47 helicopter during a joint aerial exercise between South Korea and the U.S. militaries on March 19, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size

Seoul Declines Trilateral Exercise Proposed for February South Korea turned down the United States’ invitation to hold a three‑nation aerial drill in February because the schedule would have overlapped the Lunar New Year holiday (Feb 15‑18) and preceded Japan’s “Takeshima Day” on Feb 22, a sensitive commemoration tied to the Dokdo dispute [1][2]. The U.S. had first presented the proposal on Jan 15, specifying dates that conflicted with both nations’ observances [1][2]. Defense ministry spokesperson Chung Binna stressed that the decision reflects diplomatic sensitivities rather than a shift in security commitments [1].

U.S. Offers Earlier or Bilateral Alternatives, Seoul Rejects Seoul’s defense ministry suggested moving the drills to an earlier window or replacing them with a bilateral U.S.–South Korea exercise after Japan’s event [1][2]. The United States dismissed both options and announced it would proceed with a solo drill instead [1][2]. This exchange highlighted differing expectations about how to balance joint training with regional political calendars [1].

U.S. Conducts Separate Aerial Operations Despite Impasse U.S. Forces Korea carried out independent aerial drills off the Korean west coast last Wednesday and staged joint air exercises with Japan off the Japanese coast and in the East China Sea earlier in the week [1][2]. South Korean officials labeled those separate drills “irrelevant” to the postponed trilateral exercise [1]. The operations demonstrate that U.S. forces maintain readiness while diplomatic negotiations remain unresolved [1][2].

Freedom Shield March Exercise Remains On Schedule The annual Freedom Shield exercise, slated for March, will go ahead as planned, focusing on verifying South Korea’s full operational capability (FOC) in the second phase of a three‑stage program launched under President Lee Jae Myung [1]. The drill aims to restore wartime command authority and underscores Seoul’s commitment to its own defense posture despite the trilateral drill setback [1].

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Timeline

1986 – South Korea launches its first defense drill near the Dokdo islets, establishing a recurring military posture to protect the territory [4].

2003 – South Korea adopts a twice‑yearly schedule for Dokdo drills, cementing a regular pattern of readiness exercises [4].

July 2025 – The Lee Jae Myung administration conducts its inaugural Dokdo defense drill, marking the first such exercise under the new government [4].

Dec 24, 2025 – South Korea carries out a regular East Sea (Dokdo) defense drill, the second under President Lee, using methods and assets similar to past drills; Japan files diplomatic protests, underscoring ongoing sovereignty tensions [4][5].

Dec 29, 2025 – South Korea and the United States finish 22 of roughly 40 postponed joint field drills by year‑end, part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise; officials cite a heat wave and strategic spreading of training to boost readiness [3].

Jan 15, 2026 – The United States proposes a three‑nation aerial exercise with South Korea and Japan for February, a schedule that would clash with South Korea’s Lunar New Year holiday (Feb 15‑18) and Japan’s Takeshima Day on Feb 22 [1][2].

Feb 20, 2026 – U.S. Forces Korea conducts separate aerial drills off the Korean west coast and a joint U.S.–Japan air exercise in the East China Sea, demonstrating continued operational activity despite diplomatic friction [1].

Feb 22, 2026 – Japan observes Takeshima Day, a national celebration that reinforces its claim over the disputed Dokdo/Takeshima islets [1].

Feb 23, 2026 – South Korea formally rejects the U.S. trilateral drill proposal, offering an earlier date or a bilateral U.S.–South Korea exercise; the United States declines and announces a solo drill, while Defense Ministry spokesperson Chung Binna asserts, “the three countries will maintain stable trilateral security cooperation” [1][2].

Mar 2026 (planned) – South Korea proceeds with the annual Freedom Shield exercise to verify its full operational capability (FOC) in the second phase of a three‑stage program, reaffirming its wartime command authority under President Lee Jae Myung [1].

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