It is a "major show of confidence" in Singapore that the United States and North Korea have agreed on the Republic as a venue for the historic summit between their two leaders, said Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam.
"They believe that we, Singapore, can provide a safe, secure venue. And they have confidence in our neutrality," he said while speaking to reporters yesterday on security preparations for the summit on Tuesday morning at the Capella hotel on Sentosa between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Singapore has a stake too in helping the peace process as tensions and instability in the region could affect the country's jobs, trade and investments, said Mr Shanmugam.
Motorists and commuters will be affected by road closures and security checks in the Tanglin area and on Sentosa leading up to and during the summit, starting as early as today, the Singapore Police Force and Land Transport Authority said yesterday.
In Pyongyang yesterday, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan held talks with his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong Ho to prepare for the summit. The Korean Central News Agency said both exchanged views on bilateral ties and on the situation ahead of the summit in a "warm and friendly atmosphere".
Dr Balakrishnan also met North Korea's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam, and visited sites including Mangyongdae, birthplace of Mr Kim Jong Un's grandfather and North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung.
