North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently visited a fish-pickling factory, according to photos state media released on Wednesday.

The photos of Kim beaming next to stacks of food are no doubt meant to send a signal to the world that the country is doing better than ever — whether true or not.

In reality, the country's economy is still under the grip of international sanctions imposed after its nuclear and missile tests. A United Nations report last year concluded 70% of North Koreans were struggling to get enough to eat.

On Tuesday, the White House national security adviser, John Bolton, said the country wasn't holding up its promises toward denuclearization.

Still, Kim looked very happy as he toured the factory with troops while dressed in an uncharacteristically casual getup: