Cut off from the rest of the world, North Korea's trade with foreign territories has largely been severed as a result of global sanctions. But Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un and his elite still manage to enjoy lives of luxury while funding the state's "irreversible" nuclear mission. So where's all the money coming from?

Kim Jong-un’s much-publicised meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin hints at a relationship that North Korea may be benefiting from financially, but it’s not the only avenue that allows cash to flow into the so-called Hermit Kingdom.

Read on to find out how the tightening of ties with Russia could provide a lucrative boost to North Korea, and discover the other ways it makes money, from simple exports to more sinister methods. All dollar values in US dollars.