(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
First, North Korea said Tuesday it planned to launch an "Earth observation satellite" between February 8 and 25.
It said the launch is part of its peaceful space program. It says it wants to place satellites in space to gather information to help its weather experts make predictions.
But many experts say it is a way for the country to develop its nuclear weapons program. That program would be in violation of a United Nations ban on such activities.
The New York Times reports the proposed launch is part of a North Korean effort to develop "an intercontinental ballistic missile that can deliver a nuclear bomb."
The newspaper reports that the United States has been helping to write a new U.N. Security Council resolution that would punish North Korea for these tests and launches. On January 6, North Korea conducted a nuclear test.
The United States, South Korea and Japan have warned North Korea that it will be punished severely if the launch takes place.
South Korea had talked about peace negotiations with the North, but that idea ended after the nuclear test in January.
And this week there are reports that South Korean companies may stop operating in the Kaesong Industrial Complex if the launch takes place. The area is operated jointly by North and South Korea, but is six miles north of the border with South Korea. It was formed in 2002.
About 120 South Korea companies operate in the area, or zone.
About 50,000 North Koreans work there. Some work at South Korean-owned factories there. This benefits both sides. It is the only development program between the two countries that is still operating.
Almost all relations and aid programs were cancelled in 2010 after South Korea accused the North of sinking a South Korean naval warship that killed 46 sailors.
President Park Geun-hye's support for strong international sanctions against North Korea has made South Korea's relations with the U.S. stronger. At the same time, it has weakened its relations with China.
Jonathan Pollack is an East Asia policy expert at the Brookings Institution, a research group in Washington. He says Chinese President Xi Jinping "has chosen not to communicate in a meaningful fashion with the government of the Republic of Korea, or with President Park Geun-hye, who he has closely cultivated over a period of time."
China opposes North Korea's nuclear program, but continues to support the country. China is reluctant to support strong sanctions. Instead, it has called for international talks to end North Korea's nuclear-weapons program in return for economic aid and security.
However, North Korea says its nuclear weapons program is necessary for national defense. It says it will not negotiate an end to the program. That means it will be difficult for China to convince North Korea to end its nuclear activities.
Critics say that if China does not take part in sanctions against North Korea, it will send that country a message of support.
Experts worry that sanctions put in place against North Korea by the United States or the United Nations could hurt China. That is because North Korea is already isolated and dependent on China for fuel, trade and aid.
Possible limits on trade and on companies that operate in North Korea could hurt Chinese companies and banks.
I'm Jonathan Evans.
词汇解释
1.observation n. 观察；监视；观察报告
...careful observation of the movement of the planets.
…对行星运行的仔细观测。
2.intercontinental adj. 洲际的；大陆间的
North Korea has threatened to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile .
朝鲜已威胁要试射一枚洲际弹道导弹。
3.warship n. 战船，[军] 军舰
The warship ought to be remanned right away.
这艘战舰应立即重新配备人员。
内容解析
1.That program would be in violation of a United Nations ban on such activities.
in violation of 违反，违背
He was in violation of his contract.
他违反了自己所签订的合同。
They blockaded the Suez Canal in violation of international agreement.
他们违反国际公约封锁了苏伊士运河。
2.Instead, it has called for international talks to end North Korea's nuclear-weapons program in return for economic aid and security.
in return for 作为回报；作为…的报酬；作为交换
I'll sell at a discount in return for a speedy sale.
为了尽快售出，我会打折销售。
Police offer leniency to criminals in return for information.
警方给罪犯宽大处理以换取情报。
参考译文
周二朝鲜声称计划在2月8日到25日之间发射一枚“地球观测卫星”。
朝鲜称这是其和平太空项目的一部分，称希望将卫星发射到太空以收集信息，从而帮助气象专家进行预测。
但很多专家认为这是朝鲜在发其期核武项目，该项目违背了联合国有关核活动的禁令。
纽约时报报道称发射计划是朝鲜开发“可以发射原子弹的洲际弹道导弹”计划的一部分。
纽约时报报道称，美国一直在帮助撰写一份新的联合国安理会决议来惩罚朝鲜进行此类测试和发射的活动，1月6日，朝鲜进行了一次核测试。
美国、韩国和日本警告过朝鲜，如果进行发射，将受到严厉惩罚。
韩国谈到与朝鲜的和平协商，但在1月份核测试后就放弃了这一想法。
本周有报道称，如果朝鲜发射这枚卫星，那么韩国公司可能会停止在开城工业园的运营，该地区由朝鲜和韩国联合经营，但位于朝鲜、韩国边境线北部6英里处，是2002年成立的。
大约120家韩国公司在该地区运营。
大约5万名朝鲜人在这里工作，有的在韩资工厂工作，这就令两国都受益，是两国合作的至今仍运营的唯一项目。
2010年韩国指控朝鲜击沉一艘韩国海军战舰并导致46名船员丧生后，两国之间所有的关系和援助项目都取消了。
朴槿惠总统支持国际上对朝鲜采取的制裁措施，这使得韩国与美国关系更加紧密，同时也弱化了与中国的关系。
乔纳森·波拉克是华盛顿布鲁克林研究所一名东亚政策专家，他说中国国家主席习近平“选择没有与朝鲜政府和朴槿惠总统进行真正意义上的沟通，而过去一段时间他曾与朴槿惠密切培育过两国关系。”
中国反对朝鲜的核项目，但仍支持该国。中国不愿意支持采取有力制裁，相反，而是呼吁进行国际谈判，以经济援助和安全保障作为交换结束朝鲜的核项目。
然而，朝鲜称其核项目是国防的必要条件，称不会进行结束该项目的协商，这意味着中国将很难说服朝鲜结束其核活动。
批评者称如果中国不采取对朝鲜进行制裁，那就是在对朝鲜发出支持的信号。
专家担心美国或联合国对朝鲜的制裁措施会损害到中国，这是因为朝鲜已经被孤立，依赖于中国获得燃料、贸易联系和援助。
对朝鲜进行贸易限制和对其境内运营的公司的限制将会损害到中国的公司和银行。
我是乔纳森·伊万斯。
