A news vendor counts her money near a stack of newspapers with a photo of U.S. President Donald Trump, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un on its front page in Singapore, Friday. / AP

People take photos of themselves at a tourist landmark overlooking the Marina Bay Sands casino in Singapore on March 4, 2014. / Reuters

By Kim Jae-kyoung

SINGAPORE ― Most Singaporeans are excited about their country hosting the upcoming historic summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

They believe that the summit, slated for June 12, will put Singapore in the global spotlight again and help solidify its status as a reliable international state.

The responses came after President Trump said Thursday he would meet Kim Jong-un on June 12 in the Southeast Asian country to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

"I'm very excited because it shows that Singapore has the international standing to host such important event," Chua Boon Ping, chief executive officer of SPH (Singapore Press Holdings) Media Fund, told The Korea Times.

"This will give me a good opportunity to explain our historical background and the impact of this event to my daughter," he added.

Dicky Goh, a media consultant, said, "As a Singaporean, I am glad that Singapore has been chosen to be the meeting venue due to our neutrality and geographic suitability.

"If the summit leads to positive outcome I will have a sense of satisfaction, and maybe some pride, that our tiny nation has been able to play a small part in the process."

Caitrin Moh, manager at the Korea Tourism Organization Singapore Office, believes that the summit will strengthen Singapore's status as as an "ideal mediation center" for countries' leaders' meetings.

"Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world, yet the city state has gained recognition on the global stage," she said.

"Our government has been heavily neutral in all political issues. From a layman's point of view, other countries view us as a reliable strategic partner for any global policies," she added. "This is another summit that will mark another important chapter in Singapore's history."

On top of excitement, another feeling most Singaporeans share about hosting the Trump-Kim talks is pride.

"This is a historic moment to foster peace and understanding," said Adeline Teo, Asia-Pacific regional head of marketing and communications at Vestas.

Optimism rises over NK-US summit 2018-05-11 17:06  |  North Korea Korean-American CIA official plays role for Trump-Kim summit 2018-05-11 16:23  |  North Korea Ties with US, North Korea make Singapore optimum choice 2018-05-11 13:02  |  North Korea "Singapore has always maintained peace with everyone, all our neighbors and internationally. So as a Singaporean, I am proud that we have been chosen to enable this meeting."

Irin Lin, a tourism expert, also feels proud.

"Singapore has always been a neutral country and has acted in between countries as the bridge to link up communication," said Lin.

"Hence today being the place for such historic meetings would also means a lot to us," she added. "We do feel proud should this historic meeting produce a positive outcome."

Cheryl Ng, media relations manager at a global business school based in Singapore, concurred.

"As a Singaporean, I feel really proud that our home country has emerged as a neutral meeting ground for this extraordinary meeting," she said.

"It is the first time a U.S. President has agreed to sit down with a North Korean leader. I hope that the outcome of the meeting can be a positive step contributing towards world peace."

Hopeful but cautious

Regarding the outcome of the upcoming summit, many Singaporeans remain hopeful, but cautious at the same time.

"I hope that the meeting leads to actions by all involved parties to stabilize the Korean Peninsula and the region. I am cautiously hopeful," said media consultant Goh.

Ng of the global business school feels some excitement with added caution.

"I'm not sure if it can lead to any positive breakthrough but still, it may be the start of further dialogue and engagement," she said.

Tourism expert Lin said that she has mixed feelings about hearing the summit decision.

"Though it means a lot of importance to the pride of Singapore as a neutral country and country?of high?security, it also means inviting unwanted attention from terrorists/extremists who may not be in favor," she said.