Kim visits garden, surprises hotel guests

Singapore: Reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-un went on an evening tour of Singapore on Monday, posing with city-state officials at a tropical garden before visiting an infinity pool atop a landmark waterfront hotel, to the surprise of guests.

The young North Korean leader is staying under heavy guard at a city centre hotel and had not appeared in public on Monday until about 9pm, when one of his security officials buzzing about the hotel lobby shouted: "It's all ready!".

Kim suddenly emerged in his trademark Mao-style suit to walk out to his black limousine, accompanied by his sister, Kim Yo Jong, and aides.

Reuters staff around the city tracked his motorcade, which included bus loads of security personnel and aides, escorted by dozens of Singapore police officers on motorbikes.

His first stop was a park with futuristic, tree-shaped installations, Gardens by the Bay, which also boasts the largest glass greenhouse and tallest indoor waterfall in the world.

Kim then stopped at the Marina Bay Sands hotel for a look out over the bright city lights from its rooftop garden and infinity swimming pool. Surprised guests enjoying the relative cool of the tropical evening took pictures of a waving Kim with their cameraphones. Reuters