North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un landed in Singapore ahead of the much-anticipated summit with President Donald Trump this week, with his 12-man bodyguard team again in tow.
Kim’s bodyguards garnered international attention earlier this year when they were spotted running alongside the dictator’s vehicle when he left North Korea to travel this past April.
The 12-man team was spotted again in Singapore.
Well well, Kim Jong Un’s running bodyguards are here too pic.twitter.com/ZsgvaaSS7W
— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) June 10, 2018
There are a dozen bodyguards who flank Kim’s Mercedes-Benz limousine when he travels outside North Korea.
Kim Jong Un’s jogging bodyguard unit make another appearance in Singapore https://t.co/2YOVzeNWBn pic.twitter.com/oqFT4GJ98V
— TIME (@TIME) June 11, 2018
The Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the men have been selected for their skills, such as marksmanship and martial arts; but also their physical fitness and even physical appearance.
Did you miss them? Kim Jong Un’s bodyguards are at it again – jogging alongside his motorcade in Singapore 🏃🏃 pic.twitter.com/328IAS9vGr
— #ICYMI (@ICYMIvideo) June 11, 2018
Kim landed in Singapore over the weekend and has been heavily guarded. Photos of him or with him have been extremely limited, if at all.
His bodyguards have reportedly asked people to delete any photos they might have taken of Kim on their phones.
Reports say the North Korean dictator has been walking around rather relaxed, all things considered.
Both Kim and President Donald Trump arrived in Singapore and are preparing for their first meeting, which is slated to take place 9 p.m. EST on Monday, or Tuesday morning local time in Singapore.
.@POTUS arrives in Singapore for meeting with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. pic.twitter.com/qj2S0mtEJ9
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) June 10, 2018
This will be the first time a U.S. President and a sitting North Korean leader have met in person.
Trump on Sunday night tweeted: “Great to be in Singapore, excitement in the air!”
Great to be in Singapore, excitement in the air!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2018
The President is expected to have a bilateral meeting and working lunch with Kim after a one-on-one meeting first thing Tuesday. Trump is then expected to have a presser before departing Singapore at 8 p.m. on Tuesday there, or 8 a.m. EST.
White House announces Trump and Kim will have a bilateral meeting and working lunch tomorrow after their one-on-one tomorrow. Then Trump will have a press conference and depart Singapore at 8 p.m. No second day of meetings. pic.twitter.com/CwkJO30x86
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 11, 2018
The White House announced the new schedule on Monday, which has the President leaving Singapore earlier than expected after discussions “have moved more quickly than expected.”