The North Korean famine that occurred from 1994 to 1998

The turning point in the regime's domestic credibility, Natsios argued, was when it cut rations to farmers. "Since the prices the PDS [the public distribution system] paid farmers for food was extremely low," said Natsios, "the system collapsed when farmers began hoarding food." And since North Korean's ration-cards were only honored in the residents' hometowns, the system's breakdown led to widespread migration and corruption.