(单词翻译:单击)
中英文本
This is already progress.
这已经是进步了。
Before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, North and South negotiated for almost a year about fielding a joint team.
在2008年北京奥运会之前，朝韩就组建一支联队谈判了将近一年。
Talks broke down when Seoul insisted that athletes be chosen on merit, while Pyongyang wanted squads composed 50-50 from each nation.
韩国坚持按能力选择运动员，朝鲜则希望两国各出一半名额，会谈以失败告终。
This time North Korea agreed to all the South's proposals within hours.
这一次，朝鲜几小时之内就同意了韩国的所有提议。
For North Korea, it's important to participate, get into the limelight and change the discourse from poverty, starvation and the nuclear program,
“（朝鲜之所以这么爽快因为）对朝鲜而言，重要的是参与，引起人们的关注，同时转移人们对朝鲜贫困、饥饿和核计划问题的关注”
says Udo Merkel, an expert on North Korean sport at Brighton University in the U.K.
英国布赖顿大学朝鲜体育专家乌多·默克尔评论到。
The move has sparked backlash among conservatives in South Korea, who object to handing the regime a gift-wrapped propaganda coup.
此举引发了韩国保守派人士的反对，他们反对将难得的包装精美的宣传机会让给朝鲜。
Moon's approval rating has fallen to a record low of 59.8% in recent days.
文在寅的支持率最近几天下降至59.8％的历史新低。
It's also doubtful that the gesture will lead to a permanent thaw; Kim has repeatedly said his nuclear arsenal is not up for negotiation.
同样令人怀疑的是，这种姿态是否会真的能让南北关系永久解冻，因为金正日一再表示他的核武库不容谈判。
But North Korean participation does reduce the threat risk around the Games,
但朝鲜的参与确实降低了奥运会的威胁风险，
especially as Seoul and Washington have postponed joint military drills also scheduled for February—
特别是韩国和美国推迟了原定于2月至3月举行的联合军演。
an affront Pyongyang typically meets with missile and nuclear tests.
面对这种冒犯，平壤历来都选择导弹和核试验来应对。
In 1987, North Korea even blew up a South Korean passenger jet in order to destabilize the following year's Seoul Olympics.
比如，1987年，为了破坏次年的汉城奥运会，朝鲜甚至炸毁了一架韩国客机。
At the very least, North Korea's participation is an ekecheiria that should put athletes and spectators temporarily out of harm's way.
至少的至少，朝鲜的参与无异于一次“停战”，运动员和观众也就临时摆脱了伤害。
It's a case of "keep your enemies close," says Merkel.
这是一个“把敌人放在眼皮子底下”的例子，“默克尔说。
Dangers remain, of course, especially if visiting North Koreans defect.
当然，危险依然存在，尤其如果去奥运会的朝鲜人变节的话。
South Korea is constitutionally obligated to offer all North Koreans asylum,
韩国在宪法上有义务向所有朝鲜人提供庇护，
though doing so during the Games would cause Kim colossal embarrassment under the world spotlight and the young despot does not weather embarrassment well.
尽管在奥运会期间这样做会让世界聚光灯下的金无比尴尬，而这位年轻的专制人士并不能很好地应对尴尬。
重点讲解
1. object to 反对
U. S. President George Bush is facing opposition from members of his own party who object to the cost of the plan.
美国总统布什面临本党成员的抵制，他们对该计划高额的成本表示反对。
2. fall to a record low 下降至历史新低
Sea ice in the Arctic has fallen to a record low -- and the locals now wear shorts and T-shirts in summer.
北极的海冰已减少到历史最低。现在当地居民夏天只需穿短裤和T恤就行。
3. meet sth. with... 以……应对
She is one of those who are able to meet adversities with courage.
她能够勇敢地面对逆境。
4. be obligated to 责无旁贷
Both parties should be obligated to check with the quantity, quality of the washings, and sign on relevant documents when to take over.
交接时，双方都有责任对洗涤物品的数量核对，质量检查，进相关单据签收。
