Global cities (formerly New York City, London, Tokyo, etc., but now including the likes of Seoul, Los Angeles, Osaka, Mumbai, etc.) are often in search of an iconic structure to symbolize the city. New York City, for example, has the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, while Los Angeles has the Hollywood sign and Sydney has the Opera House. Seoul has, well, Namdaemun or N-Tower, I guess.
Pyongyang may be years off from ever being a global city, but the Ryugyong Hotel seems to becoming an eerie icon unto itself. I must admit it does look rather cool, and if it is structurally sound (and if an Egyptian telecom company can't make a 100-story building structurally sound, who can?) it might be an interesting place to visit, if not stay.
Anyhoo, the Wall Street Journal is featuring the recently renovated hotel in the photo essay below. Enjoy.
Koryo Group/Associated Press
Vincent Yu/Associated Press
Koryo Group/Associated Press
KCNA/Reuters
David Guttenfelder/Associated Press
Bobby Yip/Reuters
Bobby Yip/Reuters
Koryo Group/Associated Press
David Guttenfelder/Associated Press
Greg Baker/Associated Press
Greg Baker/Associated Press
Beijing-based Koryo Tours agency has released the first public photos from inside the tallest building in North Korea: the 105-story, pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel, which remains unfinished more than 20 years after construction began. Here, the hotel on Sept. 23.
Beijing-based Koryo Tours agency has released the first public photos from inside the tallest building in North Korea: the 105-story, pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel, which remains unfinished more than 20 years after construction began. Here, the hotel on Sept. 23.
Continued A North Korean woman walked past the site of the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang on Aug. 22, 1990. North Korea began building the Ryugyong in the 1980s but stopped when funding ran out in the '90s.
A North Korean woman walked past the site of the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang on Aug. 22, 1990. North Korea began building the Ryugyong in the 1980s but stopped when funding ran out in the '90s.
Continued This photo taken by Koryo Tours shows that the interior remains unfinished. Exterior construction resumed three years ago, but few have been allowed inside. Koryo says the hotel will open in two or three years.
This photo taken by Koryo Tours shows that the interior remains unfinished. Exterior construction resumed three years ago, but few have been allowed inside. Koryo says the hotel will open in two or three years.
Continued Fireworks were set off around the Ryugyong Hotel to celebrate May Day in Pyongyang in 2009.
Fireworks were set off around the Ryugyong Hotel to celebrate May Day in Pyongyang in 2009.
Continued The sun reflected off the top of the hotel on April 1.
The sun reflected off the top of the hotel on April 1.
Continued The hotel, seen here on April 11 is the tallest building in North Korea.
The hotel, seen here on April 11 is the tallest building in North Korea.
Continued The hotel at sunset on April 11.
The hotel at sunset on April 11.
Continued Visitors toured the top floor on Sept. 23.
Visitors toured the top floor on Sept. 23.
Continued A construction crane stood on top of the unfinished hotel on Sept. 19, 2008.
A construction crane stood on top of the unfinished hotel on Sept. 19, 2008.
Continued The hotel towered above Pyongyang on Oct. 26, 2011.
The hotel towered above Pyongyang on Oct. 26, 2011.
Continued The Ryugyong Hotel, seen from a road outside Pyongyang, on Oct. 25, 2011.
The Ryugyong Hotel, seen from a road outside Pyongyang, on Oct. 25, 2011.
Continued
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