Little Rocket, Big Launch

Kim Jong-un scored big in the Singapore summit, but Donald Trump could still win in the long-term, if he can sustain his engagement with the North Korean dictator. 

- Ajish P. Joy

You know why the US agreed to hold a summit with Kim Jong-un? The CIA will shoot down his aircraft once it is out of the North Korean airspace. That is how Trump is going to solve the problem.” A janitor working at one of Singapore’s most prominent shopping malls shared with us the secret about the June 12 summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a couple of days before the summit. Nothing untoward, however, happened, as Kim left Pyongyang in the morning on June 10. He landed safely in Singapore a few hours later. But, it seems even Kim was worried about his safety. He avoided his Soviet-era personal aircraft, and borrowed a Boeing 747 from China, which is sometimes used as a private jet by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. After taking off from Pyongyang, Kim flew deep within Chinese territory as much as possible. Despite flying through a busy air corridor, no flights were allowed anywhere near his aircraft.

Kim landed at Changi Airport in the afternoon, where he was received by Singapore’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan. He soon left for the St. Regis hotel, where the North Korean delegation was staying, in a motorcade comprising nearly 30 vehicles. Curious Singaporeans, although angry about unprecedented traffic restrictions, tried to catch a glimpse of the reclusive leader, but he was safely ensconced in his heavily fortified car. Singapore authorities blocked traffic on the entire stretch from the airport to the hotel, something they don’t do even for their prime minister.