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.

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

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.

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.

Kim Jong-un reportedly blew £2.7million last year on sexy underwear for his Pleasure Squad

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.

Kim Jong-un is reportedly obsessed with Emmenthal (pictured), which is specially imported from Switzerland

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.

North Korea's ruling party is holding its first congress since 1980, amid speculation Kim will conduct a fifth nuclear test.

Kim took over the leadership in Pyongyang in 2011 and is expected to be 'crowned' with a formal title like his father and grandfather.

Kim il-Sung, founder of the Democratic Republic of Korea, created his own personality cult and was known as the Great Leader.

His son Kim Jong-il was known as the Dear Leader during his 1994-2011 reign.

It remains to be seen what title Kim Jong-un will give himself but there seems no end in sight to the personality cult or dynastic communism.