As with many things in socialism this building represents the great aspirations of the leaders to show the world how successful the socialist idea can be. I’ve seen this grandeur when I first visited Warsaw in the end of 1990s. The main station was nothing more than a giant concrete hull full of ornaments and a huge roof. Inside you could find very few shops and a small display leading the way to the train tracks.

A hollow structure

With the Ryugyong hotel things are even worse. The structure is the tallest building in Pyongyang standing 330 meters high with a total of 105 stories. It was planned to be the highest hotel building in the world at the start of construction in 1987. Spending money on a prestige project felt unjust when during the construction the population started to starve for food. In a time that is now called “the arduous March” the construction stalled and wasn’t continued for a long time.

When a egyptian investor interested in the mobile network operation of the DPRK stepped in to help with the construction of the building a mirrored facade was mounted and formed a more complete image of the hotel. Nonetheless the construction did not come to an end. The outer structure stands completed but the interior of the building is largely incomplete.

Though our male guide was certain that the building would open “soon” I was wondering where the magical pot of gold would appear to complete such an enormous undertaking.

The building can be seen from everywhere in Pyongyang and is a unique and distinctive landmark. It must be almost cynic for the inhabitants to be reminded each day of the struggles this country has come through.