The world’s tallest hotel will open next year in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang as the impoverished totalitarian regime burdened by international sanctions seeks foreign currency through a boost in tourism.

The 105-story, pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel, whose foundations were poured almost three decades ago, will open partially in July or August, Kempinski AG Chief Executive Officer Reto Wittwer said Thursday at a forum in Seoul. The German luxury-hotel manager will be the first western hospitality company to operate in North Korea, he said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is courting overseas visitors as one of the main means to earn much-needed foreign currency as the international community imposes tougher sanctions on the politically isolated Asian nation for conducting nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.
 

(Bloomberg)