SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he was impressed by Singapore’s economic development and hoped he could learn from the country during…
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he was impressed by Singapore’s economic development and hoped he could learn from the country during a night tour of some of the city state’s landmarks, the North’s state media said on Tuesday (Jun 12).
Kim said Singapore was « clean and beautiful », while looking at the view on Monday from the observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands hotel, adding that he had learned much about the Southeast Asian nation’s economic potential and how it had developed, the official KCNA news agency said.
Kim went on an evening tour, posing with Singapore officials at a tropical garden before visiting an infinity pool atop a landmark waterfront hotel, to the surprise of guests.
Kim arrived in Singapore on Sunday for a historic summit with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday aimed at getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and missiles in exchange for economic incentives and security guarantees.
The young North Korean leader is staying under heavy guard at a city centre hotel and had not appeared in public on Monday until about 9.00pm, when one of his security officials buzzing about the hotel lobby shouted « It’s all ready! ».
Kim suddenly emerged in his trademark Mao-style suit to walk out to his black limousine, accompanied by his sister, Kim Yo Jong, and aides.
Reuters staff around the city tracked his motorcade, which included bus loads of security personnel and aides, escorted by dozens of Singapore police officers on motorbikes.
