North Korea is set to open a casino in the country's tallest building

North Korea may be poised to grant casino rights at the abandoned Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, but first, an investor must complete the interior finishing of the building, which has been under construction for over 30 years.
The Ryugyong Hotel, a 105-story skyscraper made of steel and glass, is considered the tallest building in North Korea, standing at 330 meters. Construction began in 1987, with plans to open 3,000 rooms by 1992; however, the project remains unfinished to this day.
In recent years, work on the site has resumed. In 2011, the exterior glazing was completed, and in 2018, a massive LED wall was installed on the building's facade, periodically displaying images of North Korean history and the national flag.
Recent reports indicate that the government is considering a plan to open a casino in the Ryugyong Hotel. According to an anonymous source, this initiative aims to attract foreign investment into the country. "An entrepreneur willing to invest in the hotel's interior construction will be granted rights to determine the casino's location and management," the source added.
There is a general consensus that under Kim Jong Un, North Korea has become significantly more open to tourism, and it is clear that new foreign investments are welcomed.
Currently, there are two casinos in North Korea, both catering exclusively to foreigners. One is located in the luxurious Yangakkdo Hotel in Pyongyang, while the other is situated in the Bipa complex within the Rason Special Economic Zone, near the borders with China and Russia.
"It is expected that tourism in Pyongyang will revive following the completion of the casino and the opening of restaurants, pools, and billiard halls within the hotel. This is why foreign investment is crucial for North Korea," the anonymous source stated.
Meanwhile, a participant in the Lotto lottery won a substantial prize in Saturday's draw.