Five S. Korean women held for causing trouble in restricted zone

SINGAPORE: Five South Koreans were arrested for causing trouble in Orchard Road, a special zone demarcated for the Trump-Kim Summit.

The group of women were arrested at the junction of Tanglin Road and Nassim Road at 9.10pm on Monday near The St Regis Singapore hotel, where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was staying.

Kim was on his way to visit Marina Bay Sands and the Gardens by the Bay at the time.

The arrest was within a “smaller, even more restricted special zone” within the enhanced security special event area, which featured tighter security than other areas owing to the closeness to where both Kim and US President Donald Trump were staying, police said in response to queries from The Straits Times.

Strict security measures are being enforced in the special event areas until tomorrow, especially in the Tanglin area and Sentosa.

Earlier on Monday, the group had unfurled banners promoting its cause near Capella Hotel in Sentosa, the location of the summit.

Police said they were also spotted near the Shangri-La Hotel, where Trump had been staying, and had protest placards on them.

They were told to leave the special event area.

Instead of complying, the five women headed to the nearby St Regis, which was still within the special event area, said the police.

“The police again warned them not to carry out any protest activities. During the engagement, they refused to cooperate with the police, became rowdy and started to shout.

“Despite police’s repeated warn- ings, the group continued shouting and were subsequently arrested,” the statement said.

A Dutch couple who lived nearby said they saw around 50 policemen surrounding the women and placing them under arrest.

“The women were shouting very loudly. We saw them being handcuffed and led away,” said the witness. — The Straits Times/Asia News Network