North Korea has been fueling World War 3 concerns by refusing to shut down its nuclear development programme.
But East Asia expert Gordon Chang revealed at least three nations would be prepared to join leader Kim Jong-un in an all-out war against the United States.
Mr Chang said: “If we strike North Korea first, you can see China cause trouble in the South China Sea. You can see Russia go after the Baltics. The Iranians will do something.
“We could see Asia being embroiled on both sides. It’s close to a world war. This thing could spread very fast and that’s the real danger here.
“This can spread to the US homeland because the Chinese and the Russians could actually get into a nuclear exchange with the United States. I’m not saying it’s going to happen but I’m saying that’s a possibility.”
Experts have warned US President Donald Trump that Bejing and Moscow could be on the verge of forging an alliance with North Korea to prevent an invasion from the US.
China is already considered to be Pyongyang’s only formal ally in the region due to a long-established mutual support treaty which is up for renewal in 2021.
Mr Chang added China had already shown signs of non-compliance with UN sanctions, signalling it would continue to support North Korea despite pledging to act as a positive influence on the rogue nation.
Speaking to Fox News, the author of ‘Nuclear Showdown’ continued: “When sanctions are put in place by the UN, the Chinese make a big show of complying.
“They’ll actually do something for a couple of months and when the United States isn’t paying attention, they go back to doing the old way of things.”
And despite appearing to thaw this year, with Kim Jong-un agreeing to talks with South Korea, a newspaper editorial showed North Korea was not slowing down its warmongering.
In state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun, the hermit kingdom said its leader would ensure “victory to the Korean army and people”.
The editorial called for the people of North Korea to come together and North “achieve a fresh victory on all fronts”.
It stated: “No force on the earth can block the vigorous advance of Korea as it is under the outstanding and tested guidance of the Workers’ Party of Korea which leads our style of socialism to victory.”
Talks between the Korean neighbours are set to be held on January 9, despite warnings from the US it is a bluff and Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions show no sign of slowing.
The negotiations will be the first in two years and will be held at the border truce village of Panmunjom.