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| Warships from the naval forces of South Korea, the United States and Japan participate in an exercise in international waters of the East Sea, Friday. Courtesy of Republic of Korea Navy |
By Kang Seung-woo
The naval forces of South Korea, the United States and Japan conducted a three-way anti-submarine warfare exercise, Friday, in international waters of the East Sea amid North Korea's growing threats, including its submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
The drill carried added significance as it was the first of its kind in five years, as the previous administrations of Seoul and Washington had scaled back exercises in a bid to diplomatically engage North Korea.
According to the Republic of Korea Navy, the drill featured its Munmu the Great destroyer and Japan's Asahi-class destroyer as well as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, including USS Ronald Reagan, Ticonderoga-class USS Chancellorsville guided-missile cruiser and Arleigh Burke-class USS Barry guided-missile destroyer.
The Navy said the training was designed to strengthen the capability to respond effectively to North Korea's evolving SLBM technology at a time when Pyongyang continues to pose nuclear and missile threats.
The training focused on detecting, identifying and tracking North Korean submarines equipped with the capability to launch SLBMs, according to the defense ministry.
Ahead of the exercise, there had been rampant speculation that the Kim Jong-un regime would launch an SLBM in an apparent protest of the joint drill ― although the reclusive state instead opted for three launches of short-range ballistic missiles in the space of less than a week.
On Thursday, the U.S. Navy also said the exercise would forge a trilateral relationship to stand against those who challenge regional stability, adding that it will promote interoperability, tactical and technical coordination and efficient communications between the three countries.
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