Did Kim Jong-un suddenly change his flight number and destination halfway to Singapore？ Here comes the answer!
CCTV News:On June 10th, Kim Jong-un, the top leader of the DPRK, took a special plane provided by China to Singapore, where the DPRK-US leaders met. On the 12th, a meeting was held at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. This is the first meeting between the incumbent leaders of the DPRK and the United States in history.
Which plane did Kim Jong-un fly to Singapore? The international media launched a heated speculation on this issue, and the answer was revealed on the afternoon of the 10th. According to the airport photos released, Kim Jong-un was aboard the Boeing 747 of Air China.
On June 10th, Kim Jong-un (former), Chairman of the DPRK Council of State, arrived at Singapore Changi Airport.
South Korea’s MBC TV reported on the 10th that it was the first time for North Korea to visit such a distant country by plane. North Korea invested three planes for Kim Jong-un’s trip to Singapore: Goshawk-1, a chartered Boeing 747 of Air China, and Il -76 transport plane for transporting logistics. According to Korean media observation, at 8: 30am on the 10th, Air China plane took off from Shun ‘an Airport in Pyongyang, numbered CA122, and its destination was Beijing. After an hour’s flight, the plane did not land after arriving over Beijing, but changed its flight number and destination. The flight number was changed to CA61 and the destination was Singapore. Almost at the same time, "Goshawk-1" also took off from Shun ‘an Airport in Pyongyang.
South Korea’s "National Daily" said on the 10th that China provided "special guarantee" for Kim Jong-un to go to Singapore. Not only did Kim Jong-un take the China special plane, but most of the whole flight was arranged in China’s airspace.
Why did Kim Jong-un use a Chinese plane to travel to Singapore? Clever response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kim Jong-un, the top leader of the DPRK, went to Singapore by special plane provided by China, which aroused great concern from foreign media. At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China held on June 11th, questions about the special plane were asked three times.
Media: It is reported that on the 10th, Kim Jong-un, the top leader of the DPRK, took a special plane provided by China to Singapore, where the DPRK-US leaders met. May I ask Chairman Kim Jong-un why he used the Chinese plane? What is China’s position on this?
Geng Shuang: At the request of the DPRK, China Civil Aviation provided relevant services for the DPRK delegation to go to Singapore.
Media: Did North Korea ask China to provide flights, or did China offer them?
Geng Shuang: You didn’t listen to my answer just now, did you? The first thing I said just now was, at the request of the DPRK.
Media: Regarding the plane, did China lend it to the DPRK, or did China charge the relevant fees for chartering? Don’t ask me to ask the relevant departments. We think the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the competent department.
Geng Shuang: My answer is the same as just now. At the request of the DPRK, China Civil Aviation provided relevant services for the DPRK delegation to go to Singapore.
North Korean leader’s special plane "Goshawk-1"
"goshawk 1" special plane
In earlier reports, some South Korean media speculated that Kim Jong-un would take North Korea’s "Air Force 1" — — "Goshawk 1" flew to Singapore. It is reported that when Kim Jong-un visited Dalian, China on May 7, he took the "Goshawk 1". "Goshawk 1" has a five-pointed star pattern symbolizing communism printed on the tail, and the words "Democratic People’s Republic of Korea" are written on the top of the front of the plane, and the national emblem of Korea is also painted.
Internal diagram of "Goshawk 1"
According to the photos disclosed by the Korean Central News Agency, the interior of "Goshawk 1" has also been carefully designed. The desk, sofa, telephone, laptop, TV and other electronic equipment are all fully equipped, almost an air office.