News.Life

The £1.6 billion 'tower of doom' hotel which has NEVER had a single guest is looking for new investment to open

Unknown buildings, hotels, north korea, tourists, world

<ul class="mol-bullets-with-font">
 <li class="mol-style-bold">
 
 North Korea's The Ryugyong Hotel has spent over 30 years under construction
 
 </li>
 <li class="class">
 
 READ MORE: From hidden perks to bizarre requests: the world of hotels revealed
 
 </li>
</ul>

 A North Korean hotel that has been under construction for almost four decades plans to operate a casino on the premises in the hopes of finally booking in its first guest.


 The Ryugyong Hotel, located in Pyongyang, is the tallest building in
 North Korea
 -standing 150 storeys high and 1,083 feet tall.


 Construction on the pyramid-shaped building began in 1987, and, had it been completed on schedule two years later, it would have opened as the world's tallest hotel.


 However, work was paused on the 'Hotel of Doom' in 1992 after North Korea entered a period of economic crisis following the collapse of the Soviet Union.


 A series of setbacks and delays ensued in the years that followed, including a 16-year pause on development and a number of contractors withdrawing from the project.


 Today, after 38 years, the hotel intends to welcome visitors by allowing them to run a casino within its premises, with the condition that the operator commits to finishing the construction of the building’s interior.


 The external structure was finished in 2011, yet the inside of the building, spanning an area of 360,000 square feet, still stands empty. However, LED screens displaying promotional messages have been set up along one part of the edifice, transforming it into what may be among the biggest digital billboards globally.


 A proposal to introduce a casino into the Ryugyong Hotel has been examined. The aim is to attempt drawing in foreign investments," shared a Pyongyang inhabitant with RFA Korean, according to reports.
 Radio Free Asia
 .

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BeiBv" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BeiBv.jpg"/>
<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BeiBA" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BeiBA.jpg"/>
<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Bel20" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Bel20.jpg"/>

 The review took place under the order of the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, who intends to take 'practical measures' to boost foreign tourism.


 The resident added: 'The authority to determine the location of the casino to be installed at the hotel and the right to operate the casino will be granted to a foreign entrepreneur who invests in the cost of internal construction.


 'This project was approved by the Central Committee after reviewing and discussing the profitability of the casino installed at the Yanggakdo Hotel, also in Pyongyang.'


 Having first opened its doors in 1998, The Yanggakdo is North Korea's first luxury hotel, and authorities now hope to emulate the success of its foreigners-only casino in the Ryugyong.


 Casinos are a lucrative venture for the North Korean government, as they siphon foreign currency from international visitors, according to a resident from North Pyongan.


 At present, the country operates two 'foreigners-only' casinos: at the Yanggakdo in Pyongyang, and the Bipa Hotel in the Rason Special Economic Zone, based in the northeast near the border with China and Russia.


 The resident said tourism is Pyongyang is 'expected to be revitalised' once the hotel's amenities, such as its restaurants, swimming pool and suites, are finally completed, adding: 'This is why overseas investment is desperately needed.'


 Despite plans to complete the hotel and welcome tourists,
 North Korea has put a sudden 'pause' on its Western tourist drive
 , just weeks after visitors entered the country for the first time in years.

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BeupG" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BeupG.jpg"/>
<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BerUc" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BerUc.jpg"/>

 Travel groups offering Britons adventures inside the Hermit Kingdom report that trips to the port city of Rason have been put on hold after the country tentatively reopened its doors to foreign visitors last month.


 Young Pioneer Tours, a group that 'specialises in taking you to places your mother would rather you stay away from', advised holidaymakers to refrain from booking flights 'until we have more information' on Wednesday.


 'We have been advised by our partners in the DPRK that tours to Rason are currently paused,' they wrote in a post on Facebook. 'We are in the process of clarifying how this will impact your upcoming trips.'


 North Korea had sought to
 welcome foreign guests with new attractions in recent weeks
 , after shutting itself off at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Restrictions were eased in 2023, before Russian visitors were invited to visit last year.

Read more

The £1.6 billion 'tower of doom' hotel which has NEVER had a single guest is looking for new investment to open

Unknown buildings, hotels, north korea, tourists, world

North Korea's The Ryugyong Hotel has spent over 30 years under construction READ MORE: From hidden perks to bizarre requests: the world of hotels revealed A North Korean ho…

£1.6 Billion 'Tower of Doom': Abandoned Hotel Seeks New Investment for First Guests

Unknown buildings, hotels, north korea, tourists, world

<ul class="mol-bullets-with-font">
 <li class="mol-style-bold">
 
 The Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea has been undergoing construction for more than three decades.
 
 </li>
 <li class="class">
 
 EXPLORE FURTHER: Hidden Perks and Unusual Requests: Insights into the Hotel Industry Revealed
 
 </li>
</ul>

 A North Korean hotel that has been under construction for nearly 40 years intends to open a casino on site with the hope of welcoming its inaugural visitor at last.


 The Ryugyong Hotel, situated in Pyongyang, stands as the tallest structure in North Korea.
 North Korea
 —rising to a height of 150 stories and standing at 1,083 feet tall.


 The construction of the pyramidal structure started in 1987, and if it had finished according to plan just two years afterward, it would have debuted as the globe’s highest hotel at the time.


 Nevertheless, work on the 'Hotel of Doom' came to a halt in 1992 when North Korea faced an economic crisis subsequent to the disintegration of the Soviet Union.


 Several obstacles and hold-ups occurred subsequently over the years, encompassing an 16-year halt in progress along with multiple suppliers opting out of the initiative.


 After 38 years, the hotel intends to welcome visitors by allowing the operation of a casino within its grounds. The condition for this is that the operator commits to finishing the construction of the building’s inside areas.


 The external structure was finished in 2011, yet the inside of the building, spanning an area of 360,000 square feet, still stands empty. However, LED screens displaying promotional messages have been set up along one wall of the edifice, turning it into what may be the biggest screen globally.


 A proposal to introduce a casino into the Ryugyong Hotel has been examined. The aim is to attempt drawing foreign investments," shared a Pyongyang citizen with RFA Korean, according to reports.
 Radio Free Asia
 .

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BenO6" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BenO6.jpg"/>
<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Bes9l" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Bes9l.jpg"/>
<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BeiTu" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BeiTu.jpg"/>

 The evaluation was conducted following an instruction from the nation's head, Kim Jong Un, who plans to implement 'concrete steps' to enhance international travel.


 The resident commented, "The power to decide where within the hotel the casino will be set up as well as the privilege to manage the casino operations will be bestowed upon an international investor who funds the interior development costs."


 The Central Committee gave approval for this project following an assessment and debate regarding the profits from the casino set up at the Yanggakdo Hotel, which is located in Pyongyang as well.


 Having first opened its doors in 1998, The Yanggakdo is North Korea's first luxury hotel, and authorities now hope to emulate the success of its foreigners-only casino in the Ryugyong.


 Casinos are a lucrative venture for the North Korean government, as they siphon foreign currency from international visitors, according to a resident from North Pyongan.


 At present, the country operates two 'foreigners-only' casinos: at the Yanggakdo in Pyongyang, and the Bipa Hotel in the Rason Special Economic Zone, based in the northeast near the border with China and Russia.


 The resident said tourism is Pyongyang is 'expected to be revitalised' once the hotel's amenities, such as its restaurants, swimming pool and suites, are finally completed, adding: 'This is why overseas investment is desperately needed.'


 Despite plans to complete the hotel and welcome tourists,
 North Korea has put a sudden 'pause' on its Western tourist drive
 , just weeks after visitors entered the country for the first time in years.

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BenOb" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BenOb.jpg"/>
<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BelgO" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BelgO.jpg"/>

 Travel groups offering Britons adventures inside the Hermit Kingdom report that trips to the port city of Rason have been put on hold after the country tentatively reopened its doors to foreign visitors last month.


 Young Pioneer Tours, a group that 'specialises in taking you to places your mother would rather you stay away from', advised holidaymakers to refrain from booking flights 'until we have more information' on Wednesday.


 'We have been advised by our partners in the DPRK that tours to Rason are currently paused,' they wrote in a post on Facebook. 'We are in the process of clarifying how this will impact your upcoming trips.'


 North Korea has attempted to
 greet international visitors with fresh draws in the past few weeks
 After closing down at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, restrictions were relaxed in 2023. The country then extended an invitation to Russian tourists to visit the previous year.

Read more

£1.6 Billion 'Tower of Doom': Abandoned Hotel Seeks New Investment for First Guests

Unknown buildings, hotels, north korea, tourists, world

The Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea has been undergoing construction for more than three decades. EXPLORE FURTHER: Hidden Perks and Unusual Requests: Insights into the Hotel Indust…

£1.6 Billion "Tower of Doom" Hotel Seeks New Investment After Decades Without Guests

Unknown buildings, hotels, north korea, tourists, world

<ul class="mol-bullets-with-font">
 <li class="mol-style-bold">
 
 The Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea has been undergoing construction for more than three decades.
 
 </li>
 <li class="class">
 
 EXPLORE FURTHER: Hidden Benefits and Odd Requests: Insights into the Hotel Industry Revealed
 
 </li>
</ul>

 A North Korean hotel that has been under construction for nearly 40 years intends to open a casino on site with the hope of hosting its inaugural visitor soon.


 The Ryugyong Hotel, situated in Pyongyang, stands as the tallest structure in North Korea.
 North Korea
 —rising to a height of 150 stories and standing at 1,083 feet tall.


 Work on the pyramidal structure commenced in 1987, and if it had finished according to plan just two years thereafter, it was slated to debut as the globe’s highest hotel.


 Nevertheless, work halted on the 'Hotel of Doom' in 1992 when North Korea faced an economic crisis subsequent to the disintegration of the Soviet Union.


 A sequence of obstacles and hold-ups occurred in the subsequent years, involving a 16-year halt in progress as well as several suppliers opting out of the initiative.


 Today, after 38 years, the hotel intends to welcome visitors by allowing them to run a casino within its grounds—under the condition that the operator commits to finishing the work on the inside of the structure.


 The external structure was finished in 2011, yet the inside spanning 360,000 square feet still stands empty—although LED screens displaying promotional messages have been set up along one wall of the edifice, transforming it into what may be among the biggest digital billboards globally.


 A proposal to introduce a casino into the Ryugyong Hotel has undergone review. The aim of this initiative is to attempt drawing in overseas investments," stated a Pyongyang citizen to RFA Korean, according to reports.
 Radio Free Asia
 .

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Bes3a" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Bes3a.jpg"/>
<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Beuz3" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Beuz3.jpg"/>
<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BenH0" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BenH0.jpg"/>

 The review was conducted following an instruction from the nation's leader, Kim Jong Un, who plans to implement 'concrete steps' to enhance international tourism.


 The tenant stated: "The power to decide where the casino will be set up within the hotel and the permission to run the casino will be awarded to an international investor who funds the interior renovations."


 The Central Committee gave approval for this project following an assessment and debate regarding the profits from the casino set up at the Yanggakdo Hotel, which is located in Pyongyang as well.


 Opened initially in 1998, The Yanggakdo stands as North Korea’s premier luxury hotel, and officials are looking to replicate the achievements of its foreigner-exclusive casino located within the Ryugyong building.


 Casinos represent a profitable enterprise for the North Korean regime, drawing foreign currency from overseas tourists, as reported by an inhabitant of North Pyongan.


 Currently, the nation has two casinos exclusive to foreigners: one located at Yanggakdo in Pyongyang, and another at the Bipa Hotel within the Rason Special Economic Zone, which is situated in the northeastern part of the country close to both China and Russia’s borders.


 The local inhabitant stated that tourism in Pyongyang is anticipated to be rejuvenated following the completion of the hotel’s features, including its dining facilities, swimming pool, and rooms, further noting: "That's precisely why foreign investments are urgently required."


 Even though they had planned to finish the hotel and attract visitors,
 North Korea has unexpectedly hit the brakes on its tourism push toward the West.
 , merely weeks following the reopening of borders which allowed visitors into the nation after many years.

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Beuzm" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Beuzm.jpg"/>
<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Beuzp" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Beuzp.jpg"/>

 Tour operators arranging expeditions for British adventurers into the secluded nation have stated that visits to the port city of Rason have been temporarily halted following North Korea’s initial reopening to international tourists last month.


 Young Pioneer Tours, a company known for ventures into destinations your mother might prefer you avoid, cautioned travelers against making flight reservations until they gather additional details on Wednesday.


 We've received information from our colleagues in the DPRK that visits to Rason are presently suspended," they stated in a Facebook update. "We are now working to determine how this will affect your future travel plans.


 North Korea has aimed to
 greet international visitors with fresh draws in the past few weeks
 After closing down at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, restrictions were lifted in 2023. The country then extended an invitation to Russian tourists to visit last year.

Read more

£1.6 Billion "Tower of Doom" Hotel Seeks New Investment After Decades Without Guests

Unknown buildings, hotels, north korea, tourists, world

The Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea has been undergoing construction for more than three decades. EXPLORE FURTHER: Hidden Benefits and Odd Requests: Insights into the Hotel Industr…

N. Korea Threatens U.S. Reinforcements Will Be "Wiped Out" Following Stealth Jet Deployment to Japan

Unknown armed forces, military, news, north korea, warfare

N Korea-US jets


 SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) — The official media outlet of North Korea cautioned on Sunday that should the U.S. send extra troops into battle, they would face total annihilation. This statement came after Washington announced earlier this month an increased presence of stealth fighters in Japan.


 A statement released by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency condemned the recent placement of a group of F-35B fighter jets at an airbase in Iwakuni, Japan, blaming Washington for escalating tensions surrounding the possibility of a nuclear conflict.


 The continuous buildup of combat troops aimed at preparing for potential conflicts on the Korean Peninsula is steadily heightening the uncertainty surrounding an actual armed confrontation and a possible nuclear war," the statement read. "These frantic U.S. efforts towards military provocation... offer North Korea legitimate grounds and an immediate necessity to issue stronger warnings.


 DPRK is the acronym for the official title of the North -- the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.


 The U.S. anti-communist bases... fall within the continuous surveillance and attack radius of North Korea’s limitless forces," the statement read. "All additional American military support entering the conflict will be entirely enclosed and eradicated.

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1B0tLh" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1B0tLh.jpg"/>

 yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr


 (END)


 Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

N. Korea Threatens U.S. Reinforcements Will Be "Wiped Out" Following Stealth Jet Deployment to Japan

Unknown armed forces, military, news, north korea, warfare

N Korea-US jets SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) — The official media outlet of North Korea cautioned on Sunday that should the U.S. send extra troops into battle, they would face total annihilation. This …