Singaporeans on Friday morning welcomed news that their country will play host to the meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un next month.
Trump said on Thursday he had high hopes of “doing something very meaningful” to curtail North Korea’s nuclear ambitions at the summit, after Pyongyang smoothed the way for talks by freeing three American prisoners.
Trump faces a difficult task persuading Kim to abandon nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests that heightened US – North Korean tensions throughout 2017.
The two men exchanged fiery rhetoric last year over North Korea’s attempts to build a nuclear weapon that could reach the United States.
Tensions have since eased, starting around the time of the North’s participation in the Winter Olympics in South Korea in February.
The choice of Singapore will put the summit on friendly turf for Trump as the island nation is a strong US ally and the US Navy frequently visits its port.
White House spokesperson Raj Shah said Singapore was chosen because it could ensure the security of both leaders and provide neutrality.
The wealthy financial and shipping hub is seen as a gateway between Asia and the West and has been called the “Switzerland of Asia,” in contrast to North Korea’s isolated economy that its leaders now want to modernize.
