Now that the historic summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is back on track on June 12, the Associated Press took the streets of Singapore — the Southeast Asian city-state hosting the talks — to find out what its residents think and feel about the meeting.
Common themes found in the respondents’ answers are that of low expectations and uncertainty over whether the summit will actually be held.
“At the rate the two political leaders are going, we can only say that the summit is confirmed when they actually arrive in Singapore,” said Pat Chan, a commercial manager.
It is a sentiment echoed by officer manager Jennifer Yuen, who said that she hopes it will materialize because “both leaders are so unpredictable.”
Both respondents feel that, should the summit go ahead, it will reflect well on Singapore.
“If the summit ends well, it will reflect well on Singapore. If it ends badly, likewise the Singapore brand will be tarnished in a way even though it’s not within our control,” said Chan.
“The summit will put Singapore on the world map again for its capability and efficiency,” complemented Yuen. “The meeting will be a good start and small step to achieving world peace. Both leaders need to be open-minded and receptive, and have faith that the other will not renege on what is agreed.”
For Joys Tan, however, the summit is somewhat of a farce.
“I do not have any interest in the meeting,” said Tan. “It could very well end as an embellishment in a long line of past historic events where treaties were drawn, but never meant much in the long run.”
“There is so much hype around the meeting that it has become a public display of fake politeness and geniality. Both parties need to subsequently keep communicating, without this dramatic display in order for this meeting to be meaningful.”
Others are even more skeptical. Marjorie Goh said she has even lower expectations for the summit.
“One is a liar, racist and all things repugnant, and the other is almost equally bad,” said Goh. “Both have nuclear weapons that threaten the world we live in — I don’t like either of them.” MDT/AP
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