north korea to curb nuclear work for us food, page-11

Floods, famines, political isolation, and an inability of the regime to provide enough tucker for the population.

To maintain face and a strong military, they "siphon" off extra fods for their military.
Because they are still technically "at war",( I assume you DO know the Korean War never ended, and only a "cease fire" exists) military needs are a priority over the needs of the masses.
All that could be changed. But you know the West would never help them or embrace them unless they surrendered their country. They know that, too.
So what do YOU suggest?

GZ