US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed the summit — a first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader — would take place in Singapore on June 12.

The Southeast Asian financial hub was likely chosen due to its neutrality, security advantages and track record of hosting international summits, observers say.

The ultramodern city-state has robust security infrastructure and is widely considered one of the safest cities in Asia.

By apparently agreeing to meet Trump 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles) away from Pyongyang, Kim has to travel a significant distance out of his comfort zone, said Graham Ong-Webb, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).

But for Trump and Kim, Singapore is a convenient venue precisely because it “doesn’t have the historical or political baggage,” said Sarah Teo, an associate research fellow at RSIS‘ regional security architecture programme.