The Singapore government said Tuesday it has designated a part of the resort island of Sentosa as a special security zone on the days around next week's U.S.-North Korea summit, further heightening speculation that the high-profile meeting will be held there.

Security will be tightened in the area concerned between Sunday and June 14 due to the June 12 summit, according to the government.

During the five-day period, police will be authorized to conduct body searches on people entering the restricted zone and be provided a list of items banned, including weapons, drones, loudspeakers and large flags and banners.

(Singapore's resort island of Sentosa)

Washington has chosen Sentosa, located off the southern coast of Singapore, to be the venue for the planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said sources familiar with plans for the meeting.

But Pyongyang has not yet given its nod to the proposal, the sources added.

Earlier, other sources said the international media center will be set up at the F1 Pit Building in the center of the city-state.

Another source close to the matter said the media center would accommodate around 2,000 people, although nearly 3,000 journalists and photographers have already registered to cover the summit.