It has been argued that 25 missiles, including short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), which North Korea launched yesterday (2nd), are worth up to 75 million dollars (about 166.7 billion won).
Bruce Bennett, a senior researcher at the Rand Institute, a US military expert, said about the missiles fired yesterday by North Korea, "It costs between 2 million and 3 million dollars a shot." Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported today (3rd).
"North Korea appears to have chosen a shorter-range missile that is cheaper than a medium-range missile, which costs between $10 million and $15 million per shot," said Bennett.
"The missile launched this time doesn't seem to have as much power as the KN-23, which is called a 'North Korean version of the Iskander missile'," he said.
The $70 million is equivalent to what North Korea needs to import goods from China for a month, RFA said.
North Korea's imports from China were $71.54 million in August and $97 million in September.
Also, $70 million is equivalent to North Korea's annual imports of rice to China before the outbreak of COVID-19.
The US State Department has accused North Korea of exploiting its people to develop weapons.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department spokesperson said, "North Korea is exploiting its citizens and diverting resources for illegal nuclear and ballistic weapons programs."