The Korean War took place between the time period of June 25, 1950 and July 17, 1953. Korea was an independent nation since the 7th century. However, certain parts of the country came under the Japanese jurisdiction as a consequence of the war that took place between China and Japan during the years 1894 to 1895. Korea was engulfed completely by the Japanese forces in August 1910. With the culmination of the Second World War, Korea was taken over by United States and Soviet Union in unison. The US authorities sought help from the United Nations to end the issue of a conjugated occupation of Korea.

To resolve the conflict, the United Nations suggested elections in the country, which were drastically opposed by the communists in North and South Korea. While the United Stated desired to prevent the multiplication of communism; the Soviet Union wanted to extend it as far as possible throughout the world. With Kim II-Sung at the helm of affairs in North Korea supported by the Soviet Union, forces under him attacked South Korea under the anti-communist government of Syngman Rhee on June 25, 1950. China plunged into the war in order to gain mileage against the probability of a US invasion. The war ended on July 27, 1953 due to armistice. However, this was a momentary cease fire without the signing of any long term peace treaties.

One of the most obvious effects of the war as in the case of any conflict was high numbers of causalities. The Korean War widened the gap between the United States and the Soviet Union on the issue of communism. The war also propagated animosity between the US and China. As a direct consequence of the fear of the repercussions of communism, the US arbitrated into Vietnam to abolish the possibility of another North Korea. South Korea became a permanent location for the American military troops. Despite the armistice, the actual war has not ceased since then. Korea remains bifurcated with the two sides on constant war readiness. The economic wide between the two sides has also deepened with the passage of time.

While South Korea has progressed economically and technologically; North Korea remains as a poor and immensely militarized country. The nuclear tests and numerous missile tests conducted by North Korea pose a threat to South Korea as well as Japan. The eight point peace agreement signed by the leaders of the two sides of Korea on October 4, 2007 did open avenues of talks, peace, economic cooperation, renewal of highway, air travel and train services. However, the unification of North and South Korea still remains a dream in the hearts of many.

Today it dominates the skyline at the hermit Republics capital- Pyongyang, an unfinished empty shell, and what many architects claim to be the ugliest building in the World or simply the Hotel of Doom.

North Korea’s recent history could be symbolized in the history of the Hotel of Doom. In 1993, funding simply ran out, as the nation fought mass food shortages and some International Trade sanctions. The Hotel must of stood there, decaying as millions were hungry, and many people simply died of starvation.

The finished shell sat dominating the hermit republic for 15 years, as Malaysia built the new symbol of its prosperity, the Petronas Tower, and China rose through economic prosperity to build the Shanghai World Financial Center. Both buildings were the tallest in the World, whilst the Ryugyong Hotel became an International joke.

But times have changed in North Korea, and the “Hotel of Doom,” is now being refurbished inside, with a proposed completion date of around 2012. Whilst the Government of this strange land still survive, and have even joined the Nuclear club in late 2008.

Once the building opens it may be late, but the building itself will become an everlasting symbol of the fortunes of North Korea, and the ambitions of its leaders. Many say it is a “white” elephant, but it is destined to become a “great symbol” to the leaders of the Worlds last remaining Stalinist state.