Amid ambiguity about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un paying a visit to South Korea within the year, extraordinary security activities in the southern resort island of Jeju suggest Seoul has been readying to host the first-ever North Korean state leader at a last-minute notice.

The latest remark from South Korean President Moon Jae-in raised expectations and confusion over Kim’s visit to the South within the year as promised during their summit in Pyongyang in September. On his way home from a state visit to New Zealand, Moon told the press corp. last week that it was still possible that Kim could make the visit within the year without sharing the grounds for his optimism.

Mixed signs and comments followed from the Blue House throughout the week, while civilian rallies were held over the weekend both opposing and welcoming Kim’s visit.

Meanwhile, in Jeju - a likely location should Kim make a surprise visit for security reasons - has discreetly been making preparations to host the unprecedented visitor and his entourage from the secretive regime, the Maeil Business Newspaper found.

A team of police guard services last month has already examined the International Convention Center Jeju. ICC Jeju is an ideal venue for a summit meeting and other large-scale international level events. The team identified itself as a special police commando unit, an official from the center said.

Shilla Jeju, a luxury hotel under Samsung Group, recently renovated presidential suites on the seventh and eighth floors. The presidential suite on the eighth floor of the hotel is a spot that Kim could stay during his possible visit to Jeju. A hotel manager said it is impossible to book any room for Dec. 15. The date matches Kim’s highly rumored itinerary dates of Dec. 13 to 16 for his visit to South Korea.

In addition, a group of 80 ranking police officials had training and meeting sessions at Pol-A Resort Jeju. The meeting organized by the National Police Agency took place for two days from Dec. 6. The scribbles on a whiteboard in their seminar room at the facility suggested Kim Jong-un’s name on the board with the word `classified` next to it. Lines and charts looked like Kim’s possible travel pathways. The National Police Agency, however, told Maeil Business Newspaper the education session was part of an annual workshop for anti-terrorist agents, not a meeting for Kim’s visit.

The Blue House said it was open for all possibilities but added it has not heard any word from Pyongyang. The opposition parties criticized Moon and the Blue House for floating the idea when Pyongyang remains mum.

By Kim Jung-beom and Minu Kim

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]