VOA标准英语2013--US, S. Korea Summit to Focus on Security, Economic Ties

US, S. Korea Summit to Focus on Security, Economic Ties

On her six-day visit, President Park Geun-hye will be accompanied by what is billed as the largest-ever South Korean economic delegation¹ to the United States.

Among the 51 business leaders: the chairman of the Samsung Electronics conglomerate² and the chiefs of the country's five largest business organizations.

The economic focus of the trip, however, is likely to be overshadowed by security concerns, stemming from recent North Korean threats to attack both South Korea and the United States.

Hwang Tae-soon, senior researcher at the privately-funded Wisdom Center, said Presidents Park and Obama, marking the 60-year alliance between their countries, will affirm that North Korea cannot achieve its goals if its maintains its nuclear programs.  

 “There is an English proverb: ‘Spare the rod, spoil the child,’" he said. Hwang predicted the two leaders will send the message that “they will be tough on North Korea unless it opens the door itself towards reform.”

Pyongyang has shown a preference to talk with Washington rather than deal directly with Seoul.  But U.S. policy makers³ are clearly indicating that North Korea first must improve ties with the rival South.

Park's visit will allow President Obama to hear directly from his South Korean counterpart, at the start of her five-year term, on her intended approach towards the North. 

1 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

2 conglomerate   

n.综合商社，多元化集团公司

参考例句：

• The firm has been taken over by an American conglomerate.该公司已被美国一企业集团接管。
• An American conglomerate holds a major share in the company.一家美国的大联合企业持有该公司的大部分股份。

3 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》