SEOUL, April 2 (UPI) -- The amount of money set aside for North Korea's planned rocket launch is enough to feed most of the population for a year, a South Korean official said.
North Korea last month announced plans to launch a satellite into orbit using a long-range rocket. The launch, scheduled for mid-April, would run counter to agreements reached for a moratorium on long-range missiles tests and nuclear work in exchange for food assistance from the United States.
An unidentified official in South Korea said Pyongyang spent about $850 million on the launch, which is enough to feed 19 million of its estimated population of 24 million for one year, reports South Korean news agency Yonhap.
"North Korea has suffered a deficit of 400,000 tons of food every year. So, the money could resolve the problem of food shortages for six years," the official was quoted as saying.
The official added that North Korea might stage another nuclear test after the rocket launch.
"There is a high possibility that North Korea could carry out a nuclear test or an additional military provocation," the official said.
The United States has described North Korea's plans as a provocative action. The Japanese government said it would shoot the rocket down if it crossed its territorial space.
