North Korea spent $US850 million ($815 million) on the launch of its failed rocket, enough to feed millions in the impoverished country.
The cost, disclosed in restricted documents seen by London's The Daily Telegraph, could have bought 2.5 million tonnes of corn and 1.4 million tonnes of rice.
The launch was part of an attempt to legitimise the rule of 28-year-old Kim Jong-un, following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in December. He was named first secretary of the Workers' Party on Wednesday.
The regime is investing heavily in "idolisation projects", financed by coal exports, which earned $US1.14 billion last year, the documents showed.
In Pyongyang, a complex of 3000 apartments for the regime's elite is undergoing a $US140 million makeover. An estimated $US50 million is being spent on a theme park, which will boast a dolphin show pool and new swimming pool.
The World Food Programme launched an emergency operation in April last year to help 3.5 million North Koreans survive until the harvest.
About 16 million of the population of 24 million are on food aid and one in three children is chronically malnourished or stunted, the WFP says.
Telegraph, London