Early last month, the annual military exercise Balikatan, led by the United States and the Philippines with participation from Japan, Australia, Canada, and others, was conducted in the South China Sea.

Notably, this marked the first time that Japan's Self-Defense Forces sent combat troops to the exercise, and it was also the first time Japan fired live surface-to-ship missiles outside of its own territory.

Regarding the missile launch by Japan in what it considers its own backyard, China demonstrated its signature double standard, as it has done in the past.

In this episode of Video Mug, we provide an in-depth analysis of the significance of the 2026 Balikatan exercise, the power struggle between China and Japan, and the future direction of South Korea's economy and security.

Reported and written by Jo Gi-ho | Edited by Kim In-sun | Designed by Jo Seung-hyun and Jeong Yu-min | Assisted by Kim Chae-hyun | Produced by SBS Intellectual Content IP Team