North Korea has spent $700 million this year alone to launch missiles and conduct nuclear tests — enough to feed its starving population for a full two years.

The staggering figure once again displays Pyongyang’s total lack of concern regarding its people, as if more evidence were required.

SEOUL- IMPOVERISHED North Korea has spent an estimated US$700 million (S$1.02 billion) this year on nuclear and missile tests, enough to solve its food shortage for at least two years, South Korean news reports said on Monday.

The figure includes the estimated US$43 million cost of test-firing five Scud and two Rodong missiles on Saturday, according to unidentified government officials quoted by Chosun Ilbo newspaper…

Officials quoted by Chosun estimated it cost US$300 million to launch a long-range Taepodong-2 missile on April 5, and another US$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 US$300-400 million.

One million tons of rice can be purchased for approximately $300 million on the international market. The United Nations estimates than 9 million out of the DPRK’s 24 million citizens are in need of food aid. The total lack of concern from the Kim regime is appalling and yet totally unsurprising.