Inside the Ryugyong Hotel: A Rare Glimpse into North Korea's Empty Giant
2025-02-21
The Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, one of the world's tallest unoccupied buildings, has finally had some of its mystery unveiled by British tour guide Simon Cockerell. After nearly 200 visits to North Korea, Cockerell's connections allowed him access to the peculiar pyramid-shaped structure. His photos reveal a vast emptiness, debunking myths about the building's size and features. Despite its completion, the hotel has never hosted a guest, a testament to North Korea's ambitions and economic struggles, particularly after the fall of the Soviet Union. Today, the Ryugyong's glass facade serves as a nightly LED screen, projecting propaganda and videos, becoming a unique part of Pyongyang's skyline.