Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- While only the highest echelons of North Korea 's opaque leadership will know the full financial cost of Wednesday 's launch , South Korea 's government estimates Pyongyang spent $ 1.3 billion on its rocket program this year . The two rockets launched this year -- this week 's mission and a failed attempt in April -- cost $ 600 million , while the launch site itself is estimated at $ 400 million . Other related facilities add another $ 300 million , according to an official from South Korea 's Ministry of Unification . `` This is equivalent to acquiring 4.6 million tons of corn , '' the official said . `` If this was used for solving the food shortage issue , North Koreans would not have to worry about food for four to five years . '' Whatever the cost , what is known is that North Korea is one of the poorest countries in Asia , with an economy worth just $ 40 billion , according to the CIA World Factbook . But the price of North Korea 's rocket launches might be lower than government estimates because North Korean workers earn much less than their southern neighbors , says Cheong Wook-Sik , Director of South Korea 's Peace Network in Seoul . The Kaesong industrial complex , on the border with South Korea , has some of the country 's highest wage earners at about $ 100 per month , says Cheong , 14-year chief of the South Korean non-governmental organization . `` This is very high compared to the rest of North Korea . If you 're not working in Kaesong , the average worker salary drops to an average of perhaps $ 50 per month . '' Prior to Wednesday 's launch , South Korea threatened tougher sanctions on North Korea in the footsteps of a 2007 freeze on North Korean funds held at Banco Delta Asia in the Chinese territory of Macau . Cheong says some $ 25 million are still frozen there -- illicit funds from money laundering and drug trafficking by the North Korean regime . `` But in order to impose further sanctions , China 's involvement is necessary '' because Beijing is Pyongyang 's closest ally in the world , Cheong said . `` I do n't think financial sanctions against North Korea are the best course of action because that can make the situation out of control . '' But the financial cost and any risk of further sanctions may be a tradeoff for internal political gain as leader Kim Jong-Un tries to solidify his grip on power , as Wednesday 's launch comes near the first-year death anniversary of his father , Kim Jong-Il , on December 17 . Read more : What does North Korea 's planned rocket launch mean ? Indeed , Cheong believes the main audience for Wednesday 's rocket launch is North Korea 's own citizens -- not the rest of the world . `` If North Korea succeeds in launching a satellite , North Korea propaganda may spin this by saying the country has become a prosperous and strong nation . That will help Kim Jong-Un both consolidate his power and help maintain the legacy of his father . '' If there is a message to the international community , adds Cheong , it may be that North Korea is implying `` our satellite launch means we have nuclear weapons , we have a delivery system . '' Timeline : North Korea 's rocket-fueled obsession . CNN 's KJ Kwon contributed to this report from Seoul .
South Korea : Cost of Pyongyang 's two rocket launches estimated at $ 1.3 billion . North Korea appears to have successfully launched a rocket after a failed April mission . China : News of 2012 rocket launch could feed North Koreans for ` ` four to five years '' Analyst : main audience for China 's rocket launch is North Korea 's own citizens .