As city-state prepares for Trump summit, Australian comedian says he was detained

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

An Australian comedian known for impersonating the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, said he was detained by Singapore’s authorities on Friday and questioned about his political views.

Singapore’s immigration and checkpoints authority and the Singapore police did not immediately comment. The incident came days before the city-state hosts high-stakes talks between Kim and the US president, Donald Trump.

Trump says he'd invite Kim Jong-un to White House 'if summit goes well' Read more

Howard X, who declined to give his real name, told Reuters he was detained for two hours and questioned for about 30 minutes when he arrived in the early hours at Singapore’s Changi airport.

“[They] asked me what my political views were and if I have been involved with protests in other countries,” he said, adding that he was told to stay away from Sentosa island and the Shangri-La hotel, which have been designated “special event areas” for the summit.

“They said: ‘It’s the Trump-Kim summit, you’ve come at a very sensitive time.’”

Howard X was in Singapore late last month, posing as Kim Jong-un against a backdrop of the city’s bay, which features sites such as the Merlion and the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel.

Play Video 0:23 Kim Jong-un impersonator Howard X in Singapore last month - video

He said he was planning similar stunts for the purpose of political satire in the coming days, this time in tow with Donald Trump impersonator Dennis Alan. He said he was not planning any protests.

Rights groups have criticised Singapore’s laws, which they say limit critical speech and peaceful assembly.

Protests have to be pre-approved and are allowed only at a designated downtown area called the Speakers’ Corner.

Singapore has held the position that its laws and regulations are needed to maintain social order and harmony.

Meanwhile, police said on Friday that two South Korean media staff had been arrested for trespassing at the home of the North Korean ambassador to Singapore.



Police said the men, who were arrested on Thursday, were from the Korean Broadcasting System News. A third man from the broadcaster and a fourth who was acting as a guide and interpreter were also under investigation.