VOA慢速英语2015 朝鲜方面对美韩的军事演习作出回应

AS IT IS 2015-03-18 North Korea Reacts to US-South Korea Exercises 朝鲜方面对美韩的军事演习作出回应

The United States and South Korea are carrying out their yearly joint¹ military training. North Korea has reacted to the exercises, as in years past, with missile launches. However, a North Korea sympathizer in Seoul also carried out an unexpected attack on the U.S. ambassador to South Korea.

The U.S. and South Korea say the joint training is necessary to show military readiness and resolve. But the exercises also increase tensions and the possibility of conflict on the Korean peninsula.

About 10,000 South Korean troops and 8,000 U.S. troops take part in the land, sea and air operations. The soldiers also use computer simulations to practice how to answer possible attacks or invasions from North Korea. 

U.S. Rear Admiral Lisa Franchetti says these are defensive² exercises only.

“Our goal is to be able to work together to deter³ any type of activity by North Korea and if necessary to defend the Republic of Korea."

North Korea has protested the training. The country’s government says the U.S. and South Korea are planning a possible invasion. North Korea has answered with two missile launches.

Daniel Pinkston is a North Korea expert with the International Crisis Group. He agrees the exercises may increase some tensions in the area. But he says they also keep the peace by showing military strength.

He says North Korea uses force as the tool to solve political disputes inside and outside the country. So, he says, if the government sees weakness it will exploit that weakness.  

Mr. Pinkston says he is most concerned that North Korean operational commanders may incorrectly understand the purpose of the joint exercises. He says those commanders have been conditioned to believe that the United States and South Korea are planning to invade North Korea.

The recent knife attack on the U.S. ambassador did not cause a wider conflict. The ambassador was not seriously hurt and the South Korean attacker is not believed to be connected to North Korea. However, North Korea called the attack a just punishment for the joint military training.

Words in This Story

resolve – n. a strong determination to do something

simulation – n. something that is made to look, feel, or behave like something else especially so that it can be studied or used to train people

deter – v. to prevent (something) from happening

exploit – v. to make use of meanly or unfairly for one's own advantage

1 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

2 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

3 deter   

vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住

参考例句：

• Failure did not deter us from trying it again.失败并没有能阻挡我们再次进行试验。
• Dogs can deter unwelcome intruders.狗能够阻拦不受欢迎的闯入者。