Why Singapore for the Trump-Kim summit?

SINGAPORE (AFP) – It has one foot in the East and one in the West, is ultramodern, secure and sometimes mocked as being a little dull – Singapore was the safe pick for a historic first meeting between the unpredictable leaders of the US and North Korea.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed that the summit – a first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader – would take place in Singapore on June 12.

Singapore also confirmed it would host the meeting, but did not give further details.

''We hope this meeting will advance prospects for peace in the Korean Peninsula,'' the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Thursday.

It followed a second visit to Pyongyang by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday to make arrangements for the summit.

The Southeast Asian financial hub was likely chosen for its neutrality, security advantages and track record of hosting international summits, observers say.

The ultramodern city-state has a robust security infrastructure and is widely considered one of the safest cities in Asia.

It has tight restrictions over media and public gatherings, which will allow for a controlled environment likely to be preferred by the North Koreans.

Singapore is also in the rare position of having friendly diplomatic ties with both Washington and Pyongyang.

It considers the US a close partner, while North Korea maintains a fully functioning embassy in the city-state.

Singapore and the North Korea have a long history of cooperation – the first law firm and fast food restaurant in Pyongyang were both set up by Singaporeans – even if relations hit a snag last year when Singapore enforced new UN sanctions on trade.