It has demolished one structure but has begun work to complete another, this one of gigantic proportions. And both make the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's intention of giving up its nuclear program clear.

The 105-story Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang is stirring back to life after a 16-year lull.

  The 105-storey Ryugyong Hotel is seen towering over Pyongyang's skyline in this April 24, 2002 file photo. [Agencies]

Egypt's Orascom group has begun refurbishing the top floors of the three-sided pyramid-shaped hotel whose 330-m frame dominates Pyongyang's skyline, say foreign nationals living in the city.

The firm has put glass panels into the concrete shell, installed telecom antennas and put up an artist's impression of what it will look like.

An official with the group says its Orascom Telecom subsidiary is involved in the project but gave no details.

The hotel has three wings rising at 75-degree angles capped by several floors arranged in rings supposed to hold five revolving restaurants and an observation deck.

The DPRK declared its nuclear program, according to requirements of the Six-Party Talks, and demolished the cooling tower at its Yongbyon nuclear facility last month. In response, the US said it would ease sanctions against the DPRK and strike it off its list of "states sponsoring terrorism".

The DPRK started constructing the hotel in 1987. A concrete structure built by the country's Paektu Mountain Architects & Engineers emerged over the next few years.

But work had to be stopped in 1992 because of financial constrains.

It would cost up to $2 billion to finish the Ryugyong Hotel and make it safe, according to estimates in the Republic of Korea media.

(China Daily via agencies July 18, 2008)