North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il has been accused of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars a year feeding his pet dogs even as his people starve.

In a report to the South Korean parliament, ruling party MP Yoon Sang-hyun said Kim Jong-il last year imported several dozen thoroughbred Russian horses as well as 10 jet skis from the US.

He also alleged the North Korean dictator spent more than $200,000 feeding dozens of pet dogs, even though hundreds of thousands of his citizens are suffering from malnutrition.

The 'Dear Leader' is said to have also purchased hundreds of bottles of vintage French wine which was consumed at parties for senior officials.

Meanwhile, United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has called on North Korea to be more open with UN agencies battling the country's food crisis.

He made the comments during a meeting with a Pyongyang minister at UN headquarters.

They discussed the food crisis and the standoff over the North's nuclear weapons program.

Aid agencies say about 6 million people, almost a third of the population, are suffering from food shortages and the government has severely cut back on daily rations.