The Republic of Korea Air Force launched a major exercise named Soaring Eagle, beginning Friday at its Cheongju base. The operation involves roughly 60 aircraft, with the advanced stealth F-35A among the participating fighters. Yonhap News Agency reported the exercise details to the public, underscoring the scale and intent of the drill.
Officials say the drill will run through May 19, drawing about 260 personnel into the training environment. In addition to the F-35A, participants include F-15K and KF-16 warplanes as well as KC-330 tanker aircraft. The program features a range of scenarios designed to test readiness, from the incursion of an enemy special forces unit into Korean airspace to the potential launch of cruise missiles. The emphasis is on rapid decision making, interdiction capabilities, and multi-platform coordination under simulated combat conditions.
Meanwhile, regional and international diplomacy is moving in parallel with defense activity. Reports indicate that a trilateral summit involving the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan is anticipated to take place in the near future. Jiji cited sources indicating the gathering could occur in Hiroshima in the latter half of May, aligning with the agenda of the G7 summit set for the same period and location. This convergence of defense exercises and high-level talks reflects a broader strategic posture in the region for enhanced security cooperation and regional stability.
As this diplomatic trajectory unfolds, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to visit South Korea for the first time in years, with the summit offering an opportunity for leaders to discuss shared security concerns and potential collaboration. The last trilateral meeting among the three leaders occurred in November 2022, and the forthcoming discussions are anticipated to revisit topics such as deterrence, technological collaboration, and regional defense planning to address evolving threats and to reinforce allied commitments.