Island where summit is set has a dark past

The island that houses the luxury resort in Singapore where President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will hold their historic summit next week has a dark past.

The 5-star Capella Hotel, located a quarter-mile off the mainland, promises the “tranquility” of Sentosa Island amid the bustle of the “cosmopolitan” city-state, according to the hotel’s website.

But Sentosa Island — now home to beaches, luxury hotels, casinos and golf courses — used to be a Japanese camp for British and Australian prisoners-of-war during World War II. Many Singaporean Chinese who were suspected of acting against Japan were also executed there.

The island was renamed Sentosa — Malay for “peace and tranquility” — in 1970, following a competition to come up with a new moniker. Its previous name was Pulau Belakang Mati, meaning “Island After Death.”

The island earned the name because of its reputation as a rendezvous point for pirates during the 18th and 19th centuries. Sentosa is midway between China and India, so the island was an ideal trading port for the British. However, pirates would take advantage of cargo ships docked on its coast, according to the BBC.

White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders tweeted the location of the summit Tuesday. “We thank our great Singaporean hosts for their hospitality,” she added.

A U.S. advance team was spotted at the Capella Hotel last week.

Workers were putting a fresh coat of paint on the façade Tuesday evening. Extra security was in place, and red carpets were rolled out at the hotel’s two entrances.