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| In this June 6, 2018, file photo, part of the facade of Capella Hotel is seen in the center of the photo on Sentosa Island in Singapore. On June 5, 2018, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweets the U.S. President Donald Trump-North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meeting will be held at the hotel. / AP |
By Kim Jae-kyoung
SINGAPORE ― Singapore's government expelled two South Korean journalists Saturday for trespassing into the residence of the North Korean ambassador to the country.
The reporters boarded a flight bound for Seoul the same night.
They arrived in Singapore a week ago ahead of the historic summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scheduled for June 12.
"The Singapore Police Force have administered a stern warning to the two South Korean men, aged 42 and 45, involved in the case of criminal trespass," said a police spokesperson in a statement, Sunday.
"The visit passes have been cancelled, and they have been repatriated to South Korea, Saturday."
The decision came after police said in a statement Friday that they were investigating three journalists representing the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and their interpreter after receiving a report of criminal trespass at about 3.50 p.m., Thursday.
The two KBS journalists entered the residence without permission, and were arrested on site.
But the police said that the other two men, aged 29 and 31, had not committed any criminal offence.
According to police here, anyone committing criminal trespass under Section 447 of Singapore's Penal Code may be punished with up to three months in jail and, or, a fine of up to $1,500 if convicted.
"The police would like to remind all foreigners visiting Singapore, to abide by our laws," the spokesperson said. "Those who break the law will be dealt with firmly, and this may include termination of visas and deportation,"
The source said the expulsion was the result of police taking the situation between the two Koreas into consideration.
"The police had no choice but to take certain action because they received a report from the North Korean Embassy," he said.
"At the same time, they don't want to take measures that are too harsh, such as a jail term, because it could create an issue ahead of the Trump-Kim summit."
Singapore has been on alert for a possible media frenzy ahead of the landmark summit. Hordes of journalists have already begun staking out areas at the summit venue and hotels.
The summit will be held at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. Trump and Kim will be staying at the Shangri-La Hotel and The St. Regis, respectively. The three hotels and surrounding areas have all been declared special event zones.
In an email sent to the media June 1, the Singapore government warned that any activities violating the law, such as trespassing in protected areas and private property, would be subject to strict enforcement.
"We would like to remind the media to respect the privacy and needs of other hotel guests, airport users and travelers, and to refrain from any action that may cause distress and inconvenience to others," it said.
