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| NKorea spent $700 mn on nuclear, missile tests: reports |
| AFP/ PTI / Seoul Jul 06, 2009, 15:08 IST |
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Impoverished North Korea has spent an estimated $700 million this year on nuclear and missile tests, enough to solve its food shortage for at least two years, South Korean news reports said today.
The figure includes the estimated $43 million cost of test-firing five Scud and two Rodong missiles Saturday, according to unidentified government officials quoted by Chosun Ilbo newspaper.
The latest tests, staged on the US Independence Day holiday, were seen as a show of defiance to Washington as it seeks tough enforcement of UN sanctions aimed at shutting down the communist state's nuclear and missile programmes.
Officials quoted by Chosun estimated it cost $300 million to launch a long-range Taepodong-2 missile on April 5, and another 10 million to launch 10 short-range missiles in recent weeks.
In addition, they estimated the May 25 underground nuclear test, the country's second since 2006 — cost between $300-400 million.
JoongAng Ilbo gave similar figures. Neither paper gave the methodology for the cost calculation.
Chosun quoted an unidentified official as saying the North could have bought one million tons of rice on the international market for $300 million.
"This amount of rice could have solved the North's food shortage for about a year," the official was quoted as saying.
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