VOA常速英语2008年-South Korean Sled Dogs Race in North

By Kurt Achin
Mount Kumgang, North Korea
18 February 2008

You may remember the ping-pong diplomacy¹ between the United States and China back in the 1970s. Now, some South Korean athletes say they have introduced "dog sled diplomacy" to North Korea, as part of the quest for eventual² Korean reunification. VOA's Kurt Achin heads to a North Korean mountain resort for a look.

This is no ordinary day at the races for these 80 or so sled dogs. They are making a rare visit to North Korea.

Their South Korean masters mushed them Sunday riding cycles, rather than sleds, due to lack of snowfall. No North Korean racers took part in this first-ever dog sled race on North Korean soil. Nor were any North Korean spectators allowed to attend. It was seen only by a few confused North Korean kitchen staff peering through a nearby hotel window. Some soldiers at a watch post high in the mountains also looked in, but journalists were sternly warned not to film them.

The South Koreans acknowledge that after years of food shortages, most North Koreans view dogs as something to eat rather than race. That is why South Korean Sledding Sports Federation³ President Kim Tae-ryoung says coming here is an important first step.

He says just a couple of decades ago, South Koreans did not know anything about sled dog racing⁴, either. He says, at first, the North Korean soldiers did not understand why the dogs were crossing the border, but now, they are already talking about the sport with some familiarity.

The North Korean special tourism zone at Mount Kumgang was established 10 years ago. Even though the two countries remain technically⁵ at war, busloads of South Koreans cross the heavily defended border each day to visit the South Korean-funded resort.

Here, they can enjoy a North Korean theme park experience, of sorts. They get their first taste of the country's isolation⁶ when their mobile phones and laptops must be left behind at the border crossing.

Then, they can go mountain hiking around rock faces etched with slogans celebrating the worshipped Kim family that rules the nation - and later, watch folk performances with emotional music about national reconciliation⁷.

Supporters of the zone say it allows valuable interaction between North and South after half a century of rivalry⁸. However, access to villages where real North Koreans live is strictly⁹ prevented by wire fences, concrete walls, and military checkpoints.

Still, dog racer Cho Yunis says first steps are important.

"I think it has a very special meaning for us," he said. "It is good for our harmony between North and South Korea, especially because it's a first time."

Sponsors of the event say it has helped set up logistical mechanisms¹⁰ for similar events in the future, such as getting the racing breeds through North Korea's quarantine system.

That could pave the way for more crossings of the North-South Korean border - whether it is on two feet, or four.

1 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

2 eventual   

adj.最后的，结局的，最终的

参考例句：

• Several schools face eventual closure.几所学校面临最终关闭。
• Both parties expressed optimism about an eventual solution.双方对问题的最终解决都表示乐观。

3 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

4 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

5 technically   

adv.专门地，技术上地

参考例句：

• Technically it is the most advanced equipment ever.从技术上说，这是最先进的设备。
• The tomato is technically a fruit,although it is eaten as a vegetable.严格地说，西红柿是一种水果，尽管它是当作蔬菜吃的。

6 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

7 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

8 rivalry   

n.竞争，竞赛，对抗

参考例句：

• The quarrel originated in rivalry between the two families.这次争吵是两家不和引起的。
• He had a lot of rivalry with his brothers and sisters.他和兄弟姐妹间经常较劲。

9 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

10 mechanisms   

n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》