The yanks gave them grain, with american flags on so the people knew where it came from..... doesnt matter, "look how powerful our dear leader is the filthy americans pay him tribute"
Notice how Kim appears to be the only fat person in the country.
The north Korean people do not support Kim because they think the western world is weak, they stay loyal to Kim because the western world is does not show signs of real support or intervention. No amount of grain given to North Korean government (which mostly ends up as war reserve stock) will make the North Korean people defect.
It is the hierarchy system of North Korea which keeps people loyal to Kim and removes power from those considered disloyal. We figured that leaving them alone and letting them starve into desperation would put them into a 'nothing to lose' situation. Fact is, even if they are willing to lose their own lives to strive for a low chance of freedom, most people are not willing to sacrifice the lives and fate of their families and future generations to the prison work camps. What good is knowing that a country across the world can crush your dictator leader, when they do little trade empty vague threats and your dictator leader is the one who decides whether you starve, are worked to death or get promoted.
Loyalty is all about the carrot and the stick:
Western world
Carrot - Bit of aid handed over to the regime
Stick - Nothing/leave them alone to struggle under Kim
Kim Jong Un
Carrot - Increase family rank and therefore food/wealth/position, chance to live a better life
Stick - threat of imprisoning your relatives and future generations, lowering of your family's rank and therefore food/wealth/position
The Western world's non interference suits Kim well. The US generals and major political powers also prefer the status quo. As long NK is there, SK will continue to sign military forces treaties giving the US military freedom to station significant amount of troops in the Pacific... conveniently close to countries whom were not all that friendly in the past.