Samsung Economic Research Institute has estimated that the bill for reconstructing North Korea's infrastructure would be in the neighbourhood of US$8.9 billion. The amount currently reserved for inter-Korean economic exchanges, however, is a skimpy $195 million - just enough, analysts say, to kick-start the construction process.
"After that, it should be up to the private companies to attract investment from both at home and abroad,'' said Kim Yon-Chull, a senior analyst at Samsung Economic Research Institute.
Indeed, conglomerates such as Samsung, Hyundai and Daewoo are racing to become the first investors in North Korea's potent industrial sector. But financial experts are cautioning against rushing in, because a hurried rebuilding would pose a potential drain on the South.