KIM Jong-un owes Sweden £250million for a fleet of once-luxury Volvos it refused to pay up for more than forty years ago.

More than 1,000 of the 144 models were sold to Pyongyang back in 1974 - with many being used as taxis.

Kim Jong-un owes Sweden £250million for a fleet of luxury Volvos it refused to pay up for more than forty years ago Credit: Rex Features

But the bill was never settled - and it has quadrupled since, leaving Stockholm a quarter of a BILLION pounds out of pocket.

The money is owed to the state-owned Swedish Export Credit Agency - which has now named North Korea as its biggest debtor.

Among other notable debtors were pariah states Venezuela, Zimbabwe and Syria.

A report by the agency said: "During the year the countries with which there are agreements have paid under these.

"The exception is North Korea, where interest has been capitalised for many years but practically no payments have been made."

And Sweden's financial wounds have continued to fester for nearly half a century.

More than 1,000 of the 144 models were sold to Pyongyang back in 1974 - with many being used as taxis Credit: Getty - Contributor

But the bill was never settled - and it has quadrupled since leaving Stockholm a quarter of a billion pounds out of pocket Credit: Getty - Contributor

Kim's bill to Stockholm has quadrupled in the 43 years since the shipment of cars was made. His granddad Kim Il-Sun was leader of the pariah state then Credit: AFP

Posting a picture of one of the motors - which are a common sight on the streets of the capital - the Swedish embassy in Pyongyang tweeted: "Still going strong.

"One of the Volvo's from yr 1974 still unpaid for by DPRK. Running as taxi in Chongjin w almost half million km on odo!"

Back in 2014, Sedish photographer Tor Rauden Kallstigen said: "Many of the Volvos were put to serve in the small but very present taxi fleet in Pyongyang.

“I think I’ve never been inside such an old car even back home in Sweden.

"This taxi was very well maintained too, close to mint condition it seemed.”

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