Trump-Kim summit a 'major show of confidence' in S'pore, says Shanmugam

SINGAPORE — Next week’s historic United States-North Korea summit is a "major show of confidence" in Singapore’s security and neutrality, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said as preparations for the meeting kicked into high gear.

“It says much when both (North Korea) and the US have agreed on Singapore,” Mr Shanmugam told reporters on Friday (June 8) as the authorities announced further details on traffic and security arrangements for the event that has shone a global spotlight on the Republic.

He added: “Both countries take security very seriously. Their leaders are high profile targets. They believe that Singapore can provide a safe, secure venue, and they have confidence in our neutrality.

“So, it's a major show of confidence in Singapore. We are a little red dot, but we are a serious member of the international community.”

According to Mr Shanmugam, the Republic has mobilised thousands of officers, and even recalled National Servicemen, to provide security for the first-ever meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Remarking on the scale of the task, he added that it “usually takes months to prepare for something like this”. The summit was confirmed just last weekend.

Both leaders are scheduled to arrive in Singapore on Sunday, ahead of their summit on Tuesday morning at the Capella Hotel in Sentosa.

Mr Trump’s Air Force One is expected to land at Paya Lebar Airbase, while Mr Kim is said to be flying into Singapore via the Changi Airport.

Both leaders are expected to discuss efforts to end Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme, though a formal agenda has not been made public.

Singapore’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishan is in Pyongyang for a visit to finalise details of the historic meeting. Video footage on Friday showed him and the Singapore delegation being greeted by a succession of senior North Korean officials, including Dr Balakrishan’s North Korean counterpart Ri Yong-ho.

Media reports said both sides exchanged “in-depth views”, but gave no further details. Dr Balakrishan was also due to meet Mr Kim Yong-nam, North Korea’s ceremonial leader.

While Singapore is not a direct party to the nuclear negotiations, the meeting and its outcome would have a bearing on the Republic’s wellbeing and interests as it is located on an “arc of tension” in the region, said Mr Shanmugam.

Jobs, trade and investments in Singapore, for instances, would be adversely affected by any major military incident on the Korean peninsula, or if more countries in the region decide to seek some form of nuclear deterrence in response to Pyongyang’s weapons programme.

Mr Shanmugam added: “If there's any incident, it would be bad for the whole world, in particular Asia. Singaporean jobs, our trade and investments, all could be affected.

“We are about seven hours away by flight from the Korean peninsula, about 20 minutes if you take missiles. So it is absolutely in our interests to do what we can to help reduce tensions.

“Singaporeans I speak with understand how good it is for Singapore to host this summit, and how important this is.”

Mr Shanmugam has declared the summit as an “Enhanced Security Special Event” under the Public Order Act. Stringent security and traffic arrangements would be in force from this weekend to Thursday (June 14) at several venues associated with the event.

In particular, the authorities warned of delays and traffic disruptions at and near the St Regis Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, Sentosa Gateway and the Capella Hotel.

"To ensure the security of the Singapore Summit, there will be some traffic disruptions around the event venues and along the motorcade movement routes," the police and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Friday.

"Motorists are advised to plan their journey early as traffic is expected to be slow moving."

Tomlinson Road, which is next to St Regis Hotel, and the two right lanes of Tanglin Road will be closed from June 9 to 14.

During this period, traffic will also be reversed along two roads: Cuscaden Road towards Orchard Road, and Ardmore Park in the direction of Draycott Drive.

Commercial vehicles, with number plates starting with G, W, X and Y, will be restricted from entering Anderson Road.

"Commercial vehicles proceeding into Orange Grove Road are advised to use Ardmore Park via Draycott Drive or Draycott Park," the police and LTA added.

Two bus stops will also be closed: Outside The Regent Singapore, and after Tomlinson Road along Tanglin Road.

Citing security reasons, the authorities said they would not disclose details on the timing or routes taken by the official motorcades.

“However, we will remind motorists to expect delays via VMS (variable message signs) and radio stations, about one hour before the actual movements," the police and LTA added.