AS IT IS 2016-04-23 North Korea Struggling but Determined on ICBMs

AS IT IS 2016-04-23 North Korea Struggling but Determined¹ on ICBMs

A top U.S. military official said North Korea will one day have nuclear-armed missiles capable of reaching all its enemies.

U.S. Army General Vincent Brooks² is the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command. He told members of Congress the North Koreans are working to improve their nuclear missile program.

Brooks told the Senate Armed Services Committee, “Over time, I believe we are going to see them acquire [ICBM] capabilities³ if they are not stopped”

ICBM stands for intercontinental ballistic missile. These missiles can be fired from one continent and land on another.

Brooks did not say when the North Koreans would be able to launch long-range nuclear missiles.

U.S. Senator John McCain asked Brooks about “the immaturity⁴ and unpredictability” of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The general said Kim does not like taking advice from top military officials.

Brooks also told lawmakers there is “some evidence” North Korea is getting help from Iran. He said that was “very dangerous for the world, very dangerous for the region.”

General Brooks has been nominated by U.S. Secretary of Defense⁶ Ash Carter to lead the U.S. military in South Korea.

Words in This Story

ICBM – n. a type of missile that can fly from one continent to another

immaturity – adj. having or showing a lack of emotional maturity⁵

unpredictability – n. not capable of being known before happening or being done

1 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

2 brooks   

n.小溪( brook的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brooks gave the business when Haas caught him with his watch. 哈斯抓到偷他的手表的布鲁克斯时，狠狠地揍了他一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ade and Brooks exchanged blows yesterday and they were severely punished today. 艾德和布鲁克斯昨天打起来了，今天他们受到严厉的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 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

4 immaturity   

n.不成熟；未充分成长；未成熟；粗糙

参考例句：

• It traces the development of a young man from immaturity to maturity. 它描写一位青年从不成熟到成熟的发展过程。 来自辞典例句
• Immaturity is the inability to use one's understanding without guidance from another. 不成熟就是不经他人的指引就无法运用自身的理解力。 来自互联网

5 maturity   

n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期

参考例句：

• These plants ought to reach maturity after five years.这些植物五年后就该长成了。
• This is the period at which the body attains maturity.这是身体发育成熟的时期。

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。