Fighter-jets raised: Three countries have joined forces

The drills took place three hours after North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, AP reports.

South Korea's defense ministry said the drills near Jeju Island were held to "deter North Korea from developing nuclear threats" and to improve the three countries' ability to respond to threats.

The Ministry stated that these are the first trilateral exercises this year and announced that they will be expanded in the future.

Today, North Korea launched a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, and the missile fell into waters outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.