VOA标准英语2009-North Korean Leader Chooses Successor Amid S

The North Korean leader has apparently¹ chosen person who will eventually succeed him. That news accompanies possible signs of North Korean mid-range missile tests, in addition to the long-range rocket the North may be planning to launch, later this month.
　
Kim Jong Il (file photo)

South Korea's National Intelligence Service disclosed to lawmakers in Seoul Tuesday North Korea's long-awaited plans for leadership in a future, post-Kim Jong Il era.

Youngest son

Intelligence analysts³ say the North Korean leader appears to have selected his youngest son, Kim Jong Un, to take his place.

Relatively⁴ little is known about the younger Kim. He is 26 or 27 years old. He is the son of Kim Jong Il's third wife, Ko Yong Hee. He was sent to a private boarding school in Switzerland for part of his education. Media reports quote his schoolmates as saying he is a fan of NBA basketball - especially star athlete Michael Jordan.

Lee Sang-hyun, an international security analyst² with South Korea's Sejong Institute, is among many scholars who believe North Korea's recent nuclear weapon test is linked to Kim Jong Il's plans for succession.

He says, if North Korea can become recognized as a nuclear weapons nation, it can demand more compensation from the United States at international disarmament talks. That, says Lee, would allow a more stable transition of power in the North.

More missile tests

The North's succession plans accompany what analysts say are actions consistent with test launch plans for medium and long-range missiles - possibly within the next few weeks.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak wrapped up a summit of Southeast Asian leaders Tuesday, saying the group agreed to cooperate more tightly on security issues like North Korea.

He says the leaders reaffirmed their commitments on getting rid of nuclear weapons, and called North Korea's nuclear test a serious threat to peace in Northeast Asia.

No sanctions

North Korea has warned of what it calls "additional defensive⁵ measures," if it is sanctioned for its recent nuclear test. South Korean defense⁶ officials say they are stepping up surveillance of the North's activities on land and at sea.

Seoul is particularly concerned about a disputed maritime⁷ area west of the Korean peninsula, where the two Koreas have fought two naval⁸ battles in the past ten years. North Korea has never recognized the United Nations-drawn sea border there and warned last week it could not "guarantee the safety" of American and South Korean ships there.

South Korea's navy has redeployed some of its top ships, included an Aegis⁹ class destroyer and a new guided missile ship with stealth capabilities¹⁰, to the area. Bae Myung-woo is a South Korean navy spokesman.

He says South Korea will secure an overwhelming and predominant position of military power in its territorial¹¹ waters. He says this will deter¹² North Korea from any provocation¹³ at sea.

1 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

2 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

3 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

4 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

5 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。

6 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

7 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

8 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

9 aegis   

n.盾；保护，庇护

参考例句：

• Medical supplies are flied in under the aegis of the red cross.在红十字会的保护下，正在空运进医药用品。
• The space programme will continue under the aegis of the armed forces.这项太空计划将以武装部队作后盾继续进行。

10 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

11 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

12 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。

13 provocation   

n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因

参考例句：

• He's got a fiery temper and flares up at the slightest provocation.他是火爆性子，一点就着。
• They did not react to this provocation.他们对这一挑衅未作反应。