VOA慢速英语2018 朝鲜减轻对韩美两国批评 转而瞄准日本（在线收听）

North Korea Eases Criticism of US, South, Aims at Japan Instead

North Korea's state media have greatly reduced criticism of the United States and South Korea while the countries are involved in diplomatic talks. But North Korea has increased sharp words for another target: Japan.

朝鲜官方媒体在外交谈判期间已经大大减少了对美国和韩国的批评。但是朝鲜加大了对另一个目标的尖锐言辞，这个国家就是日本。

Japan has held a harder line against North Korea than South Korea or the U.S. As a result, the North has increased its criticism possibly in an effort to divide Japan from its allies.

日本对朝鲜的态度比韩国或美国都更强硬。因此，朝鲜加大了批评力度，可能是为了分化日本跟它的盟友。

In recent days, North Korea's official media denounced Japan for discriminating against its large ethnic Korean community. And it has brought more attention to South Korean's anger over a territorial dispute with Japan.

最近几天，朝鲜官方媒体谴责日本歧视其庞大的朝鲜族社群，同时更加关注韩国对同日本领土争端的怒火。

North Korea also strongly criticized Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono. He recently suggested that Japan provide some financial support for inspection efforts related to North Korea's planned removal of nuclear weapons.

朝鲜还强烈批评日本外相河野太郎。他最近建议日本为一些涉及朝鲜放弃核武器的核查工作提供财政支持。

Historic tensions, historic meetings

历史性压力，历史性会议

Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula as a colony from 1910 to 1945. There has been a long history of bad feelings between the sides. Japan and North Korea have never had diplomatic relations.

日本在1910年到1945年期间将朝鲜半岛作为殖民地统治。双方之间的怨恨历史良久。日本和朝鲜从未建交。

In addition, North Korea has demanded that Japan pay for damage caused during its colonial rule. North Korea's ruling party newspaper recently repeated the demand for a full apology and payments.

此外，朝鲜要求日本赔偿其殖民统治期间造成的损失。朝鲜执政党党报最近重申了对日本全面道歉和赔偿的要求。

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with the leaders of China, South Korea and the United States. But, so far, he has not met with any Japanese leaders.

朝鲜领导人已经会晤了中韩美三国领导人。但是截至目前尚未见过任何日本领导人。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is reportedly considering a meeting with Kim. However, Japan has kept firm in maintaining economic and political pressure on North Korea.

据报道，日本首相安倍晋三正在考虑与金正恩会面。然而，日本一直坚定地维持对朝鲜的经济和政治压力。

The Japanese leader could meet Kim at a Russian development meeting in Vladivostok in September. That is where Kim is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

这位日本领导人可能会在9月份在海参崴举行的俄罗斯发展会议上会见金正恩。预计金正恩和俄罗斯总统普京将在这里会面。

Abe faced with hard choices

安倍面临的艰难选择

Experts note that Abe's position is difficult.

专家指出，安倍的立场很难。

The Japanese public is fearful of North Korea. Japan remains concerned about the North's medium-distance missiles although North Korea has announced a freeze on missile launches.

日本公众害怕朝鲜。尽管朝鲜宣布冻结导弹发射，但是日本仍然对朝鲜的中程导弹感到担忧。

Also, Abe aims to solve a long dispute over the fate of more than 10 Japanese citizens taken by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 80s. Japan says North Korea has not been fully truthful about their fate or whether they are still alive.

此外，安倍旨在解决对20世纪七八十年代被朝鲜特工绑架的10多名日本公民命运的长期争议。日本表示，朝鲜对这些人的命运或者是否还活着没有完全讲真话。

North Korea, however, has said that it has dealt with the issue.

然而朝鲜表示已经解决了这个问题。

Possibly the biggest problem is North Korea's demand for payment related to Japanese colonial rule. Such payment could cost Japan billions of dollars.

可能最大的问题是朝鲜要求日本对殖民统治进行赔偿。这类赔偿可能会让日本花费数十亿美元。

Japan says it paid North Korea many years ago. But, experts say, changing relations between North and South Korea and the U.S. could increase pressure on Japanese leaders to reconsider North Korea's demands.

日本称其多年前就赔偿了朝鲜。但是专家表示，朝韩美之间的关系改善可能会加大日本领导人重新考虑朝鲜要求的压力。

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fate –n. the things that have or will happen to a person or thing; the path or direction that events will take