Admiral Samuel Paparo, the top US military leader in the Pacific, has issued a strong warning. He said China and North Korea’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war is a serious security threat to the Indo-Pacific region.

China Sends Key Supplies to Russia

While speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Paparo explained China’s role. He said, "China has provided 70 per cent of the machine tools and 90 per cent of the legacy chips to Russia to help Moscow ‘rebuild its war machine’."

In return, Russia may be giving China advanced military technology. According to Paparo, this includes help in making submarines move more quietly.

North Korea Trades Weapons for Missiles

Meanwhile, Paparo revealed that North Korea is also helping Russia. He stated that North Korea is sending “thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of artillery shells” and short-range missiles to Russia.

In exchange, he said North Korea could receive surface-to-air missiles and air defense systems from Russia.

He described this relationship as a mutual deal. “It’s a transactional symbiosis where each state fulfils the other state’s weakness to the mutual benefit of each state,” he explained.

US Troops in South Korea Still Vital

During the same hearing, senators asked whether US troop levels in South Korea should be protected from cuts. Both Paparo and General Xavier Brunson, head of US Forces Korea, agreed.

They said that US troops in the Indo-Pacific are crucial. The forces help maintain diplomacy and protect national security, especially as China and Russia grow closer.

Currently, the US has about 28,500 troops in South Korea.

North Korea Boosts Its Military

General Brunson also warned about North Korea’s military strength. He said the country continues to build its own capabilities while supporting Russia.

“North Korea boasts a Russian-equipped, augmented, modernized military force of over 1.3 million personnel,” he said.

Paparo added that North Korea is developing powerful weapons. “North Korea’s efforts to develop advanced nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles pose a direct threat to our homeland and our allies,” he warned.

Ukraine Claims Chinese Fighters Involved

One day earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a serious allegation. He said Russia is using Chinese nationals to fight in the Ukraine war. According to him, about 155 Chinese fighters are already involved, with Beijing’s knowledge.

However, both China and Russia denied the claim. China called the accusation “irresponsible.”