Singapore recently added its southern resort island of Sentosa to a “special event area” designated for the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s leader Kim Jong Un.

A man watches a television news screen showing US President Donald Trump (left) and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, at a railway station in Seoul, on 25 May, 2018. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

A day earlier, the city-state declared a central region, comprising the districts of Tanglin, Newton and Orchard, where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the US Embassy, and several large hotels are located, as a "special event area" from 10 - 14 June.

In its online gazette, the Singaporean Government said the amended zone included Sentosa and an area of the sea stretching more than 1 km off its southwestern shore.

A smaller area in the centre of the island that includes the Capella hotel, which media have mentioned as a possible venue for the 12 June talks, will see greater presence of police.

The government has said police would make stricter checks of people and personal belongings and items such as public address systems and remotely piloted aircraft system would be prohibited.

This is the second time Singapore has declared the “special event area” under the Public Order Act since it was revised in April 2017. The first was during the 32^nd ASEAN Summit. The areas around the Istana and Shangri-La Hotel were designated as “special event areas” on 27 and 28 April this year.

The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on 10 May that the island state will host the historic summit between Trump and Kim.

All necessary preparations for the meeting are being urgently made. But, there has been no confirmation of the venue for the summit to discuss ending the DPRK’s nuclear weapons programme in return for diplomatic and economic incentives, although several Singaporean hotels have figured as candidates.

(Source: VNA)