While North Korea is meant to be shackled by crippling sanctions, its dictator still manages to fund a nuclear programme and his own lavish lifestyle.
Kim Jong-un supposedly does this by hacking banks, selling endangered species, Viagra and crystal meth as well as through a number of other illicit methods.
The illegal dealings could reportedly be bringing the isolated country’s leader as much as a whopping billion dollars a year while the nation remains one of just 34 in the world relying on UN handouts to feed its people.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) sifts through imports with his officials
Kim Jong-un makes a speech to the sycophantic crowd at the 7th Workers’ Party Congress in Pyongyang this week. His chubby features are thought to be due to his love for cheese, chocolate and fine wine
The North Korean government shows what was said to be the test launch of a Hwasong-12 intermediate range missile in Pyongyang, North Korea at the end of August
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provides guidance on a nuclear weapons program in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang September 3, 2017
Hundreds of millions are reportedly dragged into Pyongyang by deals involving selling weapons and counterfeit banknotes, according to CNN.
Talking to the news outlet, Republican Representative Doug Lamborn, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said: ‘North Korea has blatantly violated international law with their nuclear testing, illicit sales, and the ramping up of their nuclear program.’
These huge sums of money go towards the dictator’s relentless nuclear development as well as his penchant for alcohol, Swiss cheese and luxury cars and yachts.
Kim Jong-un pointingKim Jong-un overseeing a shell firing exercise by the DPRK military, Pyongyang, North Korea back in 2014
The illicit money-making scheme is reportedly run by a covert department called the Central Committee Bureau 39 of the Korean Workers’ Party, which is more commonly known by its code name Room 39, according to the Express.
Despite vast sums of money being generated illegally, the country is still technically one of the world’s poorest.
The UN aimed to take a big bite out of the North Korean economy earlier this month by banning the North from exporting coal, iron, lead and seafood products.
Together, those are worth about a third of the country’s £2.3billion in exports last year.
The US also suggested some other ideas earlier this summer, including air and maritime restrictions and restricting oil to North Korea’s military and weapons programs.
However, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council that ‘addressing the issues plaguing the Korean Peninsula through sanction pressure alone is impossible’ because ‘that path does not propose any options for engaging North Korea in constructive negotiations’.
Russia and China, which is still a trade partner to North Korea, have both proposed a two-pronged approach.
North Korea would suspend its nuclear and missile development, and the US and South Korea would suspend their joint military exercises, which they say are defensive but Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for invasion.
Kim Jong-un reportedly blew £2.7million last year on sexy underwear for his Pleasure Squad
Earlier this year it was revealed Kim Jong-un has turned his back on the French wine and has acquired a taste instead for Vladimir Putin’s vodka.
The North Korean dictator imported a total of $1million (£800,000) worth of alcohol in 2016 and appears to have a penchant for spirits, according to figures revealed exclusively to MailOnline.
Alcohol from other countries landing in North Korea is on the rise, but it appears Kim is hitting harder stuff than before with 10 times more rum arriving in 2016 compared to 2015.
Official statistics revealed he spent £139,000 on vodka last year, up £32,000 on 2015.
Half of the money he spends on booze is blown on regular wine, but the growth in his spirit imports suggest he is changing his ways.
Kim Jong-un is reportedly obsessed with Emmenthal (pictured), which is specially imported from Switzerland
Last year, the leader claimed to have downed 10 bottles of Bordeaux during one meal last year, but the figures show he has not imported a drop of French wine in four years.
The staggering statistics also show Kim Jong-un spent £2.7million last year on racy underwear for his band of groupies who are plucked as virgins to entertain him and his cronies.
The dictator imported suspenders and corsets among his huge haul from China, which is more than double the figure he spent last year.
They are said to have been ordered for his infamous Pleasure Squad, who are plucked from classrooms – some as young as 13 – and subjected to medical tests to check they are virgins before being forced into a life of sexual servitude.
Defectors have spoken about attending drunken sex parties where women would have their pubic hair shaved as a forfeit if they lost games.
The figures come from the Trade Map and follows a report showing detailing how Kim Jong-un is also squandering millions on Champagne, horses and make-up while his people are struggling to make ends meet.
The UN says two million people are struggling to survive on meagre hand-outs from the state.
It says the daily allowance is 650 grams of maize, rice and meat.
But the despot is spending fortunes on Champagne, fines wines, chocolate and Swiss cheese.
Last year, Kim also blew £33million on vain statues of himself, his father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung.
Kim signed off imports worth £5.5m from German firms in 2015, including £235,000 on spirits, £113,000 on wines and Champagne and £56,500 on German beer.
There were also orders for £123,442 worth of perfumes, deodorants, make-up and hair care products from Germany.
Another £57,229 went on watches from Switzerland, £66,882 on imported cheeses, £251,726 on fishing rods from China and £132,452 on horses from Russia.
The bizarre list of imports included £1.65m worth of umbrellas from China, £8.03m on pepper and £2.34m on gym equipment.
The figures are from an International Trade Centre Map.
Kim is reported to have developed a craving for Emmental cheese and fine wines while studying in Switzerland.
In 2014 it was reported that he was suffering gout, a form of arthritis which is linked to debauchery and an over-indulgent lifestyle.