South Korea's chief official on North Korea policy says he believes North Korea's recent acts of international defiance are aimed at shoring up power at home. With talks to end the North's nuclear weapons at a standstill, South Korea is intensifying its diplomacy with partners to respond to the North's latest threats.
韩国主管北韩政策的主要官员说，他认为北韩近来对国际社会的一系列挑衅行为目的是要在国内巩固权力。目前旨在使北韩最终放弃核计划的谈判陷于停顿，韩国为了应对北韩最近的威胁正在强化和伙伴国家的外交联系。
North Korea's official Rodung Sinmun newspaper described the country as a "proud nuclear power" Monday, and warned it would be a "great mistake for the United States to think it will not be hurt" in the event of military conflict on the peninsula.
北韩官方报纸劳动新闻报星期一说，北韩已经是“自豪的核大国”，并警告美国不要在韩半岛发生军事冲突时认为自己不会受到攻击，否则会铸成巨大错误。
That latest example of shrill rhetoric from Pyongyang comes as the U.S. Navy tracks a North Korean vessel which may be carrying missile parts or other weaponry. Such items are prohibited under the latest United Nations Security Council resolution passed after North Korea's nuclear test last month.
北韩这些最新的恐吓是在美国海军舰艇跟踪北韩船只之后发出的。被跟踪的北韩船只可能运载有导弹部件和其他武器。联合国安理会在上个月北韩核试验后通过的最新决议禁止这些物品出入北韩。
South Korea's main 24-hour cable news channel network cited intelligence officials Monday as saying the North Korean vessel was probably destined for Burma.
韩国主要的24小时有限新闻频道星期一援引情报官员的话说，北韩船只的目的地有可能是缅甸。
South Korean Unification Minister Hyun In-taek told the Reuters news agency Monday, Pyongyang's recent provocations appear to fit a pattern.
韩国统一部部长玄仁泽星期一告诉路透社，平壤最近的挑衅符合北韩的行为规律。
Hyun says social instability has increased in North Korea, so leader Kim Jong-il needs to continue to reinforce his domestic power base.
他说，北韩社会不稳定的状况加剧，所以，领导人金正日需要不断稳固自己的国内势力。
Those comments echo earlier assessments by analysts here in Seoul, who say Kim Jong Il's apparent stroke about a year ago challenged perceptions of his complete command of the North's government.
这个评论和此前一些首尔专家分析一致。有分析认为，金正日一年前的中风令他的领导能力受到挑战。
Hyun adds, the North Korean leader also has to think about possible power succession, whether it happens right away or some time later-- that is another reason to reinforce his power base.
他说，北韩领导人还考虑到可能的继任人问题，不管是在现在进行，还是稍后解决接班人问题都是金正日需要巩固权力的另一个原因。
South Korea is intensifying diplomacy to contain North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons. President Lee Myung-bak travels to Tokyo this Sunday to discuss North Korea with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. Seoul's main envoy on the nuclear issue, Wi Sung-lac, is scheduled to meet with his Russian counterpart in Moscow later this week. A South Korean envoy is also traveling to a gathering in Poland for the South's first formal participation in a U.S.-led anti-proliferation cooperative.
韩国正加紧外交努力来阻止北韩发展核武器。总统李明博上周日前往东京，和日本首相安倍晋三讨论北韩问题。首尔核谈判首席代表魏圣洛本周晚些时候将在莫斯科和俄罗斯代表会面。另一名韩国特使将前往波兰，代表韩国第一次出席由美国发起的反核扩散合作会议。 |