South Korea, the United States and Japan began a five-day joint military exercise Monday, proceeding on schedule even as key Seoul-Washington drills were recently scaled back upon U.S. President Donald Trump's order. The multidomain Freedom Edge exercise kicked off in international waters east and south of South Korea's southern island of Jeju, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a press release. "The three nations will leverage the drills to enhance operational capabilities and joint response capabilities across multiple domains, including maritime, air and cyber, while maintaining a robust and stable cooperative relationship," the JCS said. The drills will involve major maritime and air assets from armed forces of the three countries, with a joint exercise control group overseeing the operations for their systematic and safe execution, the Korean military said. The JCS stressed the exercise is an annual drill of a defensive nature, conducted in accordance with international law and norms. "It is aimed at enhancing deterrence and response capabilities against North Korean n