Why Singapore for Trump-Kim summit?

Singapore’s diplomatic ties with North Korea and its relative proximity makes the South East Asian city-state a natural choice for the first-ever meeting of a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader

UNITED STATES            NORTH KOREA
Located just over 4,800km from Pyongyang, Singapore is comfortably within flying range of North Korea’s out-of-date fleet of aircraft

Kim Jong-un’s official plane is remodelled version of Soviet-made Ilyushin-62 (Il-62) dubbed “Air Force Un”

U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement was signed in 2003. And Obama administration agreed to upgrade Singapore to status of strategic partner in 2012

Two countries signed enhanced security agreement in 2015

Singapore and North Korea established diplomatic relations in 1975, and North Korea has embassy in Singapore

Until 2016, North Koreans enjoyed visa-free access, with North’s elite often visiting city for medical care

SINGAPORE
U.S. embassy
North Korean embassy 
Singapore Strait 
INDONESIA
MALAYSIA
Changi naval base: U.S. Navy stations combat ships
Changi Airport
5km 3 miles

Singapore has history of high-profile diplomatic occasions, hosting landmark summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan’s then-leader Ma Ying-jeou in 2015

Lion City is renowned for stability and security. Restrictions over media and public gatherings allow for controlled environment likely
to be preferred by North Koreans


Sources: AP. Reuters Pictures: Getty Images     © GRAPHIC NEWS