The Ryugyong Hotel is tall , making it the most prominent feature of Pyongyang 's skyline and by far the tallest structure in North Korea . Construction of the Ryugyong Hotel was intended to be completed in time for the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students in June 1989 ; had this been achieved , it would have held the title of world 's tallest hotel . The unfinished building was not surpassed in height by any new hotel until the 2009 completion of the spire atop the Rose Tower in Dubai , United Arab Emirates . The Ryugyong Hotel is the world 's 63rd tallest building ( tied with the China World Trade Center Tower III , Zhuhai St. Regis Hotel & Office Tower , and Yuexiu Fortune Center l in height ) and is situated number 12 in the world for the most floors . According to Guinness World Records , it is the tallest unoccupied building in the world
13th World Festival of Youth and Students
13th World Festival of Youth and Students
Ryugyong Hotel