Factors that make Singapore the place where Trump meets Kim

International experts say Singapore has three important conditions to be chosen as the venue for the high-level dialogue between the US president and the North Korean leader. These are the Lion Island's experience in organizing many high-level international conferences; its close relationship with the US and its ability to ensure security, which is what the US presidential protection delegation is most concerned about; and Singapore is one of the countries that has diplomatic relations with North Korea and hosts its embassy.

EXPERIENCE IN ORGANIZING INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Before the meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong Un on June 12, Singapore has been the site of many important historical meetings. Most recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou in November 2015, the first since the civil war ended seven decades ago. The meeting was arranged in secret and was well-received by Singapore.

The exact location where Trump will meet Kim Jong Un is not yet known. However, President Xi and Mr. Ma held their meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel. This is a luxury hotel that has hosted many high-level international events that require strict security. Every year, the Asia Defense Security Forum, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, takes place at this hotel and brings together many ministers and defense officials from countries in the region. The ASEAN Summit also took place in Singapore in 2007 and is coming up later this year.

In terms of diplomatic relations, Singapore is one of the countries in the region that has a long-standing, nearly half-century, and strong relationship with the United States. Warships, aircraft, and many ships of the US Navy regularly visit and anchor at Changi Naval Base. In addition, according to the websiteQuartz, more than 30,000 Americans are living in Singapore while 4,200 American companies operate in this island nation. Large American corporations such as Google, Facebook... all have Asian offices in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Singapore is one of nearly 50 countries with which North Korea has formal relations and embassies. Since establishing relations in 1975, North Korean citizens could visit Singapore without a visa until 2016. At that time, Singapore, under pressure from the US and the United Nations, imposed sanctions on Pyongyang, although it maintained neutral and friendly relations.

NEUTRAL FOREIGN POLICY

However, former Singaporean ambassador to the US Chan Heng Chee believes that Singapore’s diplomatic neutrality is one of the important reasons why it was chosen. “Singapore is not an explicit treaty ally of the US like Japan, Australia or the Philippines. Although Singapore often welcomes US ships and aircraft, this is not a gesture of attitude towards any developments, but an agreement that has been in place since 1990,” she said onWashington Post.

Meanwhile, if the meeting takes place in the DMZ, it would make the event appear more conciliatory toward North Korea, something Trump’s advisers are trying to avoid pushing too far.

“It is Singapore’s objective, neutral stance, consistent foreign policy and lack of ambition to harm any country that makes it the most suitable choice,” said Lim Tai Wei, a research fellow at the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore.

The distance of just 5,000km means that Kim Jong Un can fly directly to Singapore without refuelling. Graham Ong-Webb, an expert at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said this also meant that Kim Jong Un “would be willing to go far beyond his comfort zone”.

Since taking power, Kim Jong Un has barely left the country. In 2018 alone, he “broke the rules” by visiting China twice to meet with President Xi Jinping; and once crossing the border into South Korea to hold a summit with President Moon Jae In in April. Therefore, if this historic meeting takes place in a neutral country like Singapore, it will demonstrate the seriousness of the parties in finding a path to “world peace” as President Trump excitedly announced on Twitter on the night of May 10.