N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People watch a pro wrestling match at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Aug. 30, 2014, as the two-day combat sports event begins. The event, with 21 fighters from Japan, Brazil, China, France and the United States participating, is expected to attract about a total of 40,000 spectators, mostly North Koreans.

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People watch a pro wrestling match at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Aug. 30, 2014, as the two-day combat sports event begins. The event, with 21 fighters from Japan, Brazil, China, France and the United States participating, is expected to attract about a total of 40,000 spectators, mostly North Koreans.

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People applaud as a professional wrestler appears at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Aug. 30, 2014, on the first day of the two-day combat sports event. The event, with 21 fighters from Japan, Brazil, China, France and the United States participating, is expected to attract about a total of 40,000 spectators, mostly North Koreans.

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Tourists from Japan take photos at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Aug. 30, 2014, before the start of a combat sports event. The two-day event, with 21 fighters from Japan, Brazil, China, France and the United States participating, is expected to attract about a total of 40,000 spectators, mostly North Koreans.

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People gather at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Aug. 30, 2014, to watch a combat sports event. The two-day event, with 21 fighters from Japan, Brazil, China, France and the United States participating, is expected to attract about a total of 40,000 spectators, mostly North Koreans.

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Antonio Inoki, a Japanese wrestler-turned-lawmaker, acknowledges the crowd at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Aug. 30, 2014, before the start of a combat sports event.

Venue of wrestling event in Pyongyang

Venue of wrestling event in Pyongyang

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo taken Aug. 29, 2014, shows the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in Pyongyang. Japanese wrestler-turned-parliamentarian Antonio Inoki, currently visiting North Korea, will co-host the "International Pro Wrestling Festival" at the gymnasium on Aug. 30-31.

Member of N. Korea's all-female Moranbong Band on stage

Member of N. Korea's all-female Moranbong Band on stage

TOKYO, Japan - A member of North Korea's all-female Moranbong Band sings during its performance on Oct. 14, 2013, at Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in Pyongyang.

Pyongyang scene

Pyongyang scene

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Pedestrians walk in Pyongyang, North Korea, on April 30, 2013. Seen in the background is the Ryugyong Hotel under construction.

Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang

Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang

BEIJING, China - File photo taken in February 2013 shows the Ryugyong Hotel under construction in Pyongyang. European hotel operator Kempinski AG has frozen its plan to open the new landmark hotel in Pyongyang around the middle of 2013 due to "market conditions" in North Korea, according to a report by U.S. news site NK News.

Life in Pyongyang

Life in Pyongyang

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People visit the Pyongyang Folk Park in Pyongyang on Oct. 12, 2012. Visible in the background is a model of the Ryugyong Hotel, which is under construction in the North Korean capital.

Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang

Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang

PYONGYANG, North Korea - An Oct. 11, 2012 photo shows the Ryugyong Hotel under construction in Pyongyang, North Korea.

Kim statues in Pyongyang

Kim statues in Pyongyang

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo shows the statues of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung (L) and later leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang's Mansudae area on Oct. 8, 2012. In the background is the Ryugyong Hotel under construction.

Pyramid-shaped hotel in N. Korea

Pyramid-shaped hotel in N. Korea

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo taken on Feb. 14, 2011, shows the pyramid-shaped, 105-story Ryugyong Hotel under construction in Pyongyang. Exterior work on the hotel was completed recently, locals said Feb. 17. Construction began in 1987, but was halted in the early 1990s due to financial reasons. It resumed in 2008.

FEATURE: Many foreigners attracted by Pyongyang after inter-Korean summit

FEATURE: Many foreigners attracted by Pyongyang after inter-Korean summit

Photo shows a night view of the 300-meter-tall, dormant Ryugyong Hotel (back) seen from a Taedong River cruiser in Pyongyang on July 28, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Renovation under way in Pyongyang ahead of 60th anniversary

Renovation under way in Pyongyang ahead of 60th anniversary

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Builders in North Korea have restarted work at the giant Ryugyong Hotel for the first time since construction ceased on the concrete skyscraper in 1992 due to financial difficulties. Renovation of buildings and roads is under way in Pyongyang ahead of the 60th anniversary of N. Korea's foundation in September. (Kyodo)

Pyramid-shaped hotel in N. Korea

Pyramid-shaped hotel in N. Korea

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo taken on Feb. 14, 2011, shows the pyramid-shaped, 105-story Ryugyong Hotel under construction in Pyongyang. Exterior work on the hotel was completed recently, locals said Feb. 17. Construction began in 1987, but was halted in the early 1990s due to financial reasons. It resumed in 2008. (Kyodo)

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People watch a pro wrestling match at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Aug. 30, 2014, as the two-day combat sports event begins. The event, with 21 fighters from Japan, Brazil, China, France and the United States participating, is expected to attract about a total of 40,000 spectators, mostly North Koreans. (Kyodo)

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Antonio Inoki, a Japanese wrestler-turned-lawmaker, acknowledges the crowd at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Aug. 30, 2014, before the start of a combat sports event. (Kyodo)

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People applaud as a professional wrestler appears at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Aug. 30, 2014, on the first day of the two-day combat sports event. The event, with 21 fighters from Japan, Brazil, China, France and the United States participating, is expected to attract about a total of 40,000 spectators, mostly North Koreans. (Kyodo)

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

N. Korea, Japanese lawmaker stage 2-day combat sports event

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People gather at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Aug. 30, 2014, to watch a combat sports event. The two-day event, with 21 fighters from Japan, Brazil, China, France and the United States participating, is expected to attract about a total of 40,000 spectators, mostly North Koreans. (Kyodo)

Venue of wrestling event in Pyongyang

Venue of wrestling event in Pyongyang

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo taken Aug. 29, 2014, shows the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium in Pyongyang. Japanese wrestler-turned-parliamentarian Antonio Inoki, currently visiting North Korea, will co-host the "International Pro Wrestling Festival" at the gymnasium on Aug. 30-31. (Kyodo)

Views from Pyongyang's Taedong River cruiser

Views from Pyongyang's Taedong River cruiser

Photo shows the illuminated Ryugyong Hotel, an unfinished pyramid-shaped skyscraper, seen from a Taedong River cruiser in Pyongyang in July 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ryugyong Hotel lights up

Ryugyong Hotel lights up

Photo taken on April 12, 2018, shows the Ryugyong Hotel, a vast unfinished pyramid-shaped skyscraper, lit up in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ryugyong Hotel lights up

Ryugyong Hotel lights up

Photo taken on April 12, 2018, shows the Ryugyong Hotel, a vast unfinished pyramid-shaped skyscraper, lit up in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ryugyong Hotel lights up

Ryugyong Hotel lights up

Photo taken on April 12, 2018, shows the Ryugyong Hotel, a vast unfinished pyramid-shaped skyscraper, lit up in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo