US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to meet in Singapore on 12 June
Singapore is set to host a summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday (12 June). Capella Hotel in Sentosa is picked to be the venue of the histo…
Singapore is set to host a summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday (12 June).
Capella Hotel in Sentosa is picked to be the venue of the historic meeting between the two leaders and it has been confirmed by the White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on her Twitter account on early Wednesday.
Ahead of the summit, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will make an Official Visit to Pyongyang from 7 to 8 June 2018 at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Ri Yong Ho.
In a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), it was said that during his visit, Minister Balakrishnan will also call on President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK Kim Yong Nam.
Minister Balakrishnan will be accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Singapore Ministry of Defence (Mindef) also announced on Wednesday (6 June) evening that airspace restrictions over the Republic will be in place from June 10 to June 14.
The statement stated that CAAS and Mindef have issued notices to airmen on the airspace restrictions through the usual aeronautical information channel on 4 and 6 June 2018, adding that travellers are advised to expect delays for flights arriving at and departing from Singapore during this period.
On Tuesday (5 June), Dr Balakrishnan also met with National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton at the White House in the afternoon.
He expressed appreciation for Singapore’s hosting of the historic Summit between US President Donald Trump and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un in Singapore the following week.
Dr Balakrishnan also welcomed the upcoming visit of President Trump and Chairman Kim to Singapore and expressed the hope that the upcoming Summit would contribute towards lasting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.
Before leaving Washington DC, Dr Balakrishanan were aske by reporters on whether Singapore had approached the US and North Korea to host the event.
"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," he answered.
"I think Singaporeans can be proud. Proud that we’ve been chosen because they know that we are neutral, reliable, trustworthy and secure," he said, noting 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," he said.
The minister then 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. 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," he said.
Singapore Police Force (SPF) has also announced on Wednesday (6 June) that the summit has been declared as an Enhanced Security Special Event by the Minister for Home Affairs under the Public Order Act.
"The venues involved in the Summit, and the areas around them, have correspondingly been designated as Enhanced Security Special Event Areas from 10 June to 14 June 2018. To ensure public safety and security, the Police will put in place strict security measures within these areas," it stated.
The maps show the boundaries of the Enhanced Security Special Event Areas.
Source: SPF.
The Police have also demarcated Special Zones within the Enhanced Security Special Event Areas for additional security checks on persons and vehicles entering them.
The maps show the boundaries of the Special Zones, which bounded by the following (commencing from the southernmost
point and proceeding in a clockwise manner), including Shoreline of South-western part of Sentosa Island, Siloso Beach View, Beach View, Siloso Road, Garden Ave, Northern shoreline of Sentosa Island, Sentosa Gateway, Entrance of Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Gateway, Gateway Ave, Artillery Ave, and Allanbrooke Rd.
Source: SPF.
The police has also listed prohibited items within the Enhanced Security Special Event Areas, saying, "It is an offence to take any prohibited item into these areas. The Police will conduct checks on persons for such items within the Enhanced Security Special Event Areas. Where found, such items will be seized and investigations will be initiated against the persons found in possession of the items."
It also stressed that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (commonly referred to as drones) are prohibited within the Enhanced Security Special Event Areas.
"It is an offence to fly a UAV in these areas and Police will take strict enforcement action against anyone found doing so, including arresting the operators of such UAVs and seizing the UAVs," it said.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) stated that it will also be restricting vessel movement within and around the Enhanced Security Special Event Areas. Vessels may also be subjected to additional security checks by the Police.
The police warned that there will be even higher levels of security within the Special Zones. The Police will conduct security checks and screening on persons and vehicles entering, or within, the Special Zones.
"The Police have the powers to refuse any person or vehicle entry into the Special Zones, or remove a person from already within, if necessary," it said, asking the cooperation of the public to comply with all orders issued by Police officers.
"Persons who engage in activities that compromise security within the Enhanced Security Special Event Areas and Special Zones will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law," it added.
The police then said that public assemblies and processions in Singapore are regulated under the Public Order Act.
It stressed that those who wish to organise or take part in a public assembly or procession must apply for and get a Police permit*. Any person who contravenes the law could face a fine of up to $5,000. Repeat offenders are liable to be fined up to $10,000 or imprisoned for up to 6 months or both.
*Editor's note - This is where the police have to be called out. I have tried on many occasions to get a permit to do a one-man protest in the middle of the night with no one around and yet the police denied my application, stating that it is a risk to public order and damage to property. If Singapore wants to make protest illegal, just say so, don't pretend to be democratic by allowing application but never intending to approve them.
This entry was posted in Current Affairs.
