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U.S. commanders tell Senate North Korea's exports of munitions, personnel to Russia deepen threat
Summary
Witnesses reported that North Korea's military cooperation with Russia and growing strategic ties with China are increasing regional risks. General Brunson and Admiral Paparo cited shipments of munitions and personnel to Russia and warned of technology transfers that could bolster Pyongyang's missile and submarine capabilities.
General Christopher Brunson, commander of United States Forces Korea, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that North Korea has sustained a high tempo of missile testing and weapons development and has sent munitions and personnel overseas. "In 2024, the DPRK focused on advancing their cruise missile and hypersonic glide vehicle research and development programs. Launching 47 ballistic missiles with 1 failed satellite launch attempt," Brunson said.
Admiral Paparo described a transactional relationship among China, Russia and North Korea in which each partner supplies goods or technology the others lack. "North Korea is sending, thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of artillery shells and thousands of KN-24 short range missiles to Russia," Paparo said, and he warned that Pyongyang is receiving Russian help with air defenses, submarine quieting and missile technologies in return.
Why it matters: Witnesses said these ties increase the DPRK's ability to modernize its forces and complicate U.S. efforts to deter and contain threats on the Korean Peninsula. Committee members repeatedly raised the security and intelligence implications of North Korea's evolving doctrine, including statements interpreted as endorsing first-use of nuclear weapons.
Testimony also noted nonkinetic threats: "The DPRK s cyber threat is increasingly sophisticated as demonstrated by the recent theft of approximately $1,500,000,000 in cryptocurrency," General Brunson said. Senators asked whether disbanding Department of Justice teams that pursued crypto crimes would weaken deterrence or enforcement; General Brunson said the military has instruments to pursue illicit activity but urged whole-of-government approaches.
Witnesses urged exposure and diplomatic pressure to impose costs on states that support such transfers. Admiral Paparo recommended using all instruments of national power to deter and punish proliferation and to prepare for the possibility of foreign assistance that would enhance DPRK capabilities.
No formal committee action was taken; senators said the testimony would inform sanctions, enforcement, and assistance discussions.
