Trump-Kim Summit: Singapore prepares for historic meeting

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02:28

Anticipation is growing in Singapore as the city-state gears up for the historic summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un next month. Sandy Huang has this report.

On June 12th Singapore opens up its doors to the next momentous diplomatic event of the year.

It will be the first time a sitting US president comes face-to-face with a leader of the DPRK.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says the City State is "honored" to host the "historic and momentous event".

For locals, it's a chance to see history unfold, right on their doorstep.

LOH HUNG CHEE RETIRED FACTORY MANAGER "Many Singaporeans are going to look around: where can I see Kim Jong Un, where can I see Trump? For all the Singaporean I think we all feel very proud. The whole world is so big; Singapore is just a tiny island, yet these two countries selected our country to be their meeting place. It's going to make historic legends for all of us."

MIHYE KIM KOREAN STUDENT IN SINGAPORE "I think it will be very meaningful to sign the peace agreement here. The most memorable thing in Singapore. It's like a dream! We don't have to be scared about war anymore."

Experts say the Southeast Asian nation has been chosen for its robust security facilities.

And Singapore is in a unique diplomatic position to help both sides feel at ease.

ANWITA BASU ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT "The reason the North Koreans are comfortable to come to Singapore is because Singapore has traditionally been a close ally from a business and economic perspective. Likewise Singapore has been able to maintain very, very close ties with the US. So it's sort of a perfect balance from a foreign policy perspective."

Singapore is well equipped to host the influx of global VIPs that will attend. Rooms at the luxury Shangri-la and Marina Bay Sands hotels are already sold out on the dates surrounding the summit.

Both have been touted most suitable venues for the meetings.

Meanwhile this downtown shopping mall, quaintly named the "Peace Centre" has gone viral with locals joking the summit will be held there.

SANDY HUANG SINGAPORE "The meeting has boosted Singapore's profile on the global stage. It will use the occasion to promote the City Sate as a strong, stable country within the region. All parties involved will be hoping the summit is a success that peace will be achieved and finally ends decades of conflict on the Korean peninsula. Sandy Huang, CGTN, Singapore.