Singapore’s security on high alert for historic Trump-Kim summit after city state spent US$15 million to host
Although Singapore has the experience of hosting high-profile events such as the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security forum, security for Tuesday’s meeting will be on a different scale
Singaporean officials said they were taking an “all hands on deck” approach to ensure the security of the historic summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un – one of the highest-profile events ever to be held in the city state. That effort includes the S$20 million (US$15 million) Singapore is paying out of its own pocket to host Tuesday’s meeting.
Interior minister K. Shanmugam told reporters about 5,000 police officers and first responders will be deployed by the end of the meeting. Singapore has a total of around 13,000 police officers and 2,500 first responders.
The figure does not include military personnel who have been deployed, with at least two warships patrolling waters off Sentosa island resort where the summit will be held.
Shanmugam said the two-week lead time to prepare for the summit meant officials faced “tremendous strain” in organising security for the event but was “quietly confident” of measures put in place over the last few days.
The government last week declared areas around three hotels involved in the summit – the Shangri-La, St Regis and Capella – “special event areas”, giving police enhanced powers to stop and search people and vehicles.
Trump will stay in the Shangri-La, Kim in the St Regis and the summit will be held at the Capella on Sentosa island. Airspace over Singapore is also restricted until Thursday.
Although Singapore has the experience of hosting high-profile events such as the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security forum, Shanmugam said Tuesday’s meeting will be on a different scale.