President Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un will meet one-on-one in a closed door meeting at the inception of the denuclearization summit in Singapore.
According to Bloomberg, the two heads of state will be alone, with the exception of personal translators, when they meet for the first time Tuesday. Subsequent meetings will involve both leaders’ top aides.
Bloomberg adds that both Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton will join the president, despite Kim’s supposed “strong dislike” for Bolton.
Before leaving for Singapore Saturday morning, Trump told reporters at the G7 summit in Canada that he’ll be able to know “within the first minute” of his “mission of peace” whether Kim and North Korea are serious about denuclearization.
Pres. Trump says “within the first minute” he’ll know if negotiations with Kim Jong Un will produce favorable outcome.
“I think that very quickly I’ll know whether or not something good is going to happen.” https://t.co/yFRdYI4Vfj pic.twitter.com/RIyT6DzaLU
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 9, 2018
“I’ll be on a mission of peace,” President Trump says at G7 before leaving for North Korea summit. pic.twitter.com/0791z84cNP
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 9, 2018
Reporters already on the ground in Singapore have noted signs of increased security at the hotels hosting this week’s historic events.
The Shangri-La Hotel, host to the U.S. delegation, was designated a “special area” last week and will receive official protection from Singapore’s government.
The North Korean delegation is expected to stay at the St. Regis Hotel. Reporters confirmed the installation of new security equipment, though the hotel would not comment on the installations nor Kim potentially booking rooms.
[Related: Singapore hotels add cameras, ramp up security ahead of Trump-Kim summit]
The summit itself will be held at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island.
