For boosting peace activities, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will make an official visit to Pyongyang today, said a release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is going to North Korea on a two-day visit following the invitation from his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong Ho. This comes on the back of the recent working visit of Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Washington where he met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton.
“During his visit, Dr Balakrishnan will also call on Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea. He will also be accompanied by officials from the Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said MFA in the release.
High-level preparations are going on the for the important summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un which take place at Capella Hotel in Singapore on June 12. Singapore government has declared the venues involved in the summit and the areas around them as Enhanced Security Special Event Areas from June 10 to 14 in order to provide fool proof security.
Singapore has diplomatic ties with both the US and North Korea, and serves as a regional headquarters for many large US companies and US Navy vessels, which use Singapore's port facilities.
However, Singapore suspended trade relations with the reclusive North Korea last year following tightened United Nations sanctions over its weapons programme. North Korea still operates a small embassy in Singapore.
In 2008, Singapore sent its then foreign minister, George Yeo, on an official visit to North Korea. During that trip, he toured the Nampo Port and Kaesong industrial zone, but visits by senior officials to the isolated state are rare.