Kim’s Singapore Spectacle
Picture this: a giant airplane swoops down over the glittering lights of Singapore, and out steps Kim Jong Un for a meeting with President Trump. It’s the kind of headline that makes headlines.
From Pyongyang to Pearl of the Pacific
- The fly‑in wasn’t a private jet from Pyongyang’s closet but a trip that had three planes in the sky.
- One of them was Kim’s “Chammae‑1” (aka “Goshawk‑1”) – the old Soviet‑made Ilyushin‑62 that’s seen better days.
- Kim himself didn’t ride that charming chopper. The real star was an Air China Boeing 747, the kind that usually works its way from Pyongyang to Beijing. But mid‑flight it changed its callsign and headed south.
When the 747 touched down, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan was ready to hand over the “king of the world.” He captured the moment on his Twitter feed – a classic handshake surrounded by Singapore’s skyline.
Royal Convoy Chaos
Kim entered the city in a convoy that looked like a military parade meets a luxury bus‑chase: more than twenty vehicles, an ambulance, and a troupe of North Korean TV crews filming every step.
Singaporeans clogged the sidewalks for a chance to snap photos of his shiny, tinted Mercedes‑Benz. Even the city’s strict rules on tinted windows were bent this time, making headlines for the right reasons.
Hotel Hypestar
- The St Regis, a posh spot just a hop away from Orchard Road, is the chosen lodging for warm‑up sessions. It does not give out nightly rates online but you can guess they’re pretty steep.
- On the 20th floor is the Presidential Suite— 335 sq m of luxury with a Marc Chagall painting, a white baby‑grand piano, gold‑lined walls, and all the fancy metals that scream “millionaire.”
- Comparable rooms in New York start at a mind‑blowing $35,000 per night. If you’re visiting the “King of the North,” expect a similar price tag.
Who Pays the Tab?
North Korea’s financial woes have left one big question: Who fixes the bill? The move has sparked speculation everywhere—from Seoul, which normally covers its delegates’ trips, to the United States, which says it won’t foot the bill and isn’t asking anyone else to do so.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong openly admitted the local government spent about S$20 million to host the summit—half of that on security. He sweetened the deal by saying, “We’re willing to pay that cost. It’s part of a global effort that matters to us.” No mention of the hotel bill, though.
One Final Word
In short, Kim’s Singapore adventure turned into a circus of planes, a parade of commuters, and a hotel that would make even the richest millionaires blush. The headline‑making visit may have drawn attention, but the real question remains: who will bear the cost of bringing the “King of the North” to the city of lights?
