VOA标准英语2008年-US Commander in South Korea Says Control Transf

The newly-appointed commander of U.S. forces in South Korea says he is confident an upcoming transfer in command control from Washington to South Korea will leave the two countries' alliance stronger. VOA's Kurt Achin has more from Seoul.
　
N. Korean soldier looks at new commander of combined US-South Korea forces, US Army Gen. Walter L. Sharp during his visit to the border village of Panmunjom, 03 Jul 2008

U.S. Lieutenant¹ General Walter Sharp spoke² directly to South Korean pride when he praised the country's military.

"Do not underestimate the power of your [South Korea's] military. They are good," he said.

Sharp assumed command of U.S. forces stationed in Korea last month. Washington deploys³ about 28,000 military personnel in South Korea, to deter⁴ or defeat any repeat of North Korea's 1950 invasion.

In some of his first public comments since taking command, Sharp said South Korea's military has risen "head and shoulders" above where it was 10 years ago, when Sharp was stationed here, as an infantry⁵ officer.

"It has the ability, I believe, working within the alliance, to beat any North Korean threat," he said.

Under agreement with South Korea, the United States would assume command of the South Korean military, in the event of a renewed war with the North. But the two countries have agreed to return wartime operational control of South Korean forces to Seoul in 2012.

One of Sharp's main tasks is to sort out the implementation⁶ of the agreement, while reinforcing the alliance's ability to fight a war, if necessary. Using the common shorthand "ROK," standing⁷ for South Korea's formal name, the Republic of Korea, Sharp says more responsibility is being shifted.

"Right now we are starting to develop ROK-lead plans, as to what would that war plan look like, and with them, the ROK, in the lead, what would we, the United States, need to support that plan that would make the overarching plan even stronger than what we have today?" he added.

Sharp dismisses the notion that the wartime control transfer is a prelude⁸ to the United States withdrawing from South Korea.

"We, the United States, would be stupid to leave this region. And, I believe that is what our government believes right now, also," said Sharp.

Sharp says American service members will probably soon be assigned three-year tours of duty in South Korea, rather than the current one year. They will also be able to move here with their families - something he says will stabilize⁹ and strengthen the South Korean-American alliance.

 

1 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 deploys   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的第三人称单数 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• It then deploys "decoy" programs designed to attract the virus. 然后，它释放“诱饵”去吸引病毒。
• But when that doesn't work, he deploys his secret defense mechanism. 但没有效果，它要施展绝密自卫武器了。

4 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。

5 infantry   

n.[总称]步兵(部队)

参考例句：

• The infantry were equipped with flame throwers.步兵都装备有喷火器。
• We have less infantry than the enemy.我们的步兵比敌人少。

6 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

7 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

8 prelude   

n.序言，前兆，序曲

参考例句：

• The prelude to the musical composition is very long.这首乐曲的序曲很长。
• The German invasion of Poland was a prelude to World War II.德国入侵波兰是第二次世界大战的序幕。

9 stabilize   

vt.（使）稳定，使稳固，使稳定平衡；vi.稳定

参考例句：

• They are eager to stabilize currencies.他们急于稳定货币。
• His blood pressure tended to stabilize.他的血压趋向稳定。