Vivian to visit North Korea ahead of Trump-Kim summit; public can expect tighter security and flight delays

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan will pay an official visit to Pyongyang on Thursday and Friday, days ahead of the highly anticipated summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un next Tuesday (June 12).

The surprise announcement of his visit to the North Korean capital was among several new developments, including tighter security measures and airspace restrictions, that emerged on Wednesday (June 6) as preparations ramped up for the historic summit.

Dr Balakrishnan’s two-day visit is at the invitation of North Korea’s foreign affairs minister Ri Yong-ho, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). He will be accompanied by MFA officials and will call on its ceremonial leader Kim Yong-nam.

Dr Balakrishnan is not the first minister to visit North Korea – former foreign minister George Yeo made a five-day visit to North Korea in 2008, where he met his then-counterpart Pak Ui-chun and toured Kaesong City and Nampo Port.

Dr Balakrishnan’s trip comes a day after his whirlwind visit lasting less than 12 hours to Washington DC to touch base with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton. Both US officials expressed thanks to Singapore for hosting the summit.

When asked by reporters before leaving Washington DC on whether Singapore had approached the US and North Korea to host the event, Dr Balakrishnan said: “No we did not put our hand up but we were asked. And in this case both the North Koreans and the US felt that we were an appropriate venue.”

“I think Singaporeans can be proud. Proud that we’ve been chosen because they know that we are neutral, reliable, trustworthy and secure,” he added.

He noted that there has been enormous interest in the summit as all eyes are on whether both sides can achieve a breakthrough for a problem that “has been there for 70 years”.

“I am confident that we will be able to do our best as host. Although you know, to use an analogy I tell both the North Koreans and the Americans, we are there to serve tea and coffee.”

The minister revealed that Singapore had first been approached by the US, followed by North Korea to host the summit.

“There’s been a team in Singapore for quite some time now and we’ve been able to have good discussions separately with both teams,” he said.

“I think it is very important that we be even-handed, that we enjoy the trust and confidence of both parties. So you know, this ability to be an honest, neutral host is absolutely crucial.”

This exercise of shuttle diplomacy just days before the actual event, suggests that the Republic may be playing a greater role in the overall process, above and beyond the logistics of the occasion.

On the home front, the Singapore Police Force declared the summit a “special enhanced security event” from June 10 to 14 and said it would be tightening patrols and checks in the Tanglin area and Sentosa island, which have been gazetted as “special event areas” for the summit.

Speaking to reporters, Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) How Kwang Hwee said that the police have been “working closely with the security advance teams of both countries to develop and put in place plans for the summit”.

Members of the public can expect more security presence on the ground, with the police, Home Team agencies, Singapore Armed Forces and auxiliary police to deploy more officers to patrol both areas. 

The police have also demarcated smaller special zones — where checks will be even stricter — within the two gazetted areas.

People, vehicles and vessels entering or within the special zones will be subject to checks. Individuals could be subject to bag and body checks and may be asked to produce their identification documents.

The police will have the power to refuse any person or vehicle entry into the special zones and to remove a person from the zones, if necessary.

The special zone on Sentosa covers the likes of Capella Hotel — the summit venue — and Palawan beachfront. Over at Tanglin, the special zone will cover key sites like the Shangri-La and St Regis hotels.

Outside these special zones, the police will still “maintain a high level of vigilance” and will step up patrols in areas of high human traffic, said SAC How.

The police urged the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activities over the course of the summit.

The Ministry of Defence and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore advised travellers flying in and out of Singapore from June 10 to 14 to expect flight delays and confirmed that airspace restrictions over Singapore would be in place from 8am on June 10 to 11.59pm on June 14.

The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), which oversees the island’s management, marketing and development, sought the understanding and patience of guests, residents and other stakeholders visiting areas in the vicinity of Capella Hotel.

In a media statement, it reassured locals and tourists that it would be “business as usual” at its other attractions and retail outlets.

Resorts World Sentosa, on its end, said that it remains accessible to all visitors "throughout the period next week".

"All our exciting offerings remain open as per regular operating hours," said a spokesperson. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY TOH EE MING