The U.S., South Korea and Japan recently conducted missile tracking and defense exercises near Hawaii and shared intelligence via a “tactical data link,” according to the U.S. Defense Department, as the three countries increase defense cooperation in response to North Korean threats. 

The drills, codenamed Pacific Dragon, came after the DPRK test-launched a range of different missiles in the first half of the year and ahead of an anticipated seventh nuclear test. 

They may also represent an inflection point for regional security, experts told NK News, as the Yoon Suk-yeol administration looks to mend ties with Japan