VOA标准英语10月-N. Korea Threatens 'Total Freeze' of Relations Wi

North Korea says it is considering what it calls a "total freeze" on ties with South Korea. It is the latest sign of Pyongyang's displeasure with the South's conservative president. VOA Seoul Correspondent Kurt Achin reports.

South Korean officials are downplaying harsh North Korean commentary in Pyongyang's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper.
　

Lee Myung-bak (file photo)

The commentary refers to the administration of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak as "the group of traitors," and accuses it of "reckless confrontation¹" with the North. It goes on to warn of a "crucial decision, including the total freeze of the North-South relations."

President Lee has been a target of North Korean criticism for months. He has taken a much firmer policy approach to North Korea than his two predecessors² - withholding³ South Korean aid and cash until there is more progress on issues like getting rid of the North's nuclear weapons.

In recent weeks, South Korea has angered the North by refusing to prevent human rights groups from launching leaflets critical of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il into North Korean territory using balloons.

Operations at a joint⁴ North-South tourism zone have been on hold since North Korea's military shot a South Korean civilian⁵ in July. A total freeze would likely also suspend a joint industrial zone in the North Korean city of Kaesong, which employs more than 30,000 North Koreans.

Economist⁶ Marcus Noland specializes in North Korea for the Peterson Institute of International Economics. He says it should be obvious that North Korea has much more to lose by severing⁷ inter-Korean ties than the South does. But he says in Pyongyang, things might not be so clear.

"The problem with North Korea is the government simply does not care about the general welfare of the population," said Noland.

Noland says North Korea's government makes its decisions based on a "narrow set of ruthless political concerns" such as keeping party elites⁸ and the military loyal.

"And so from the standpoint of the North Korean government, yes - breaking off ties with South Korea could have all sorts of adverse⁹ economic effects," he said. "But that would largely not be felt by the people making that decision."

There are no immediately apparent implications in Thursday's threat for efforts to get rid of North Korea's nuclear weapons. The North resumed the disabling of its main nuclear plant a few days ago, following a compromise deal with the United States over nuclear inspections¹⁰.

1 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

2 predecessors   

n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身

参考例句：

• The new government set about dismantling their predecessors' legislation. 新政府正着手废除其前任所制定的法律。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Will new plan be any more acceptable than its predecessors? 新计划比原先的计划更能令人满意吗？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 withholding   

扣缴税款

参考例句：

• She was accused of withholding information from the police. 她被指控对警方知情不报。
• The judge suspected the witness was withholding information. 法官怀疑见证人在隐瞒情况。

4 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

5 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

6 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

7 severing   

v.切断，断绝( sever的现在分词 )；断，裂

参考例句：

• The death of a second parent is like severing an umbilical cord to our past. 父母当中第二个人去世，就象斩断了把我们同过去联在一起的纽带。 来自辞典例句
• The severing theory and severing method for brittle block are studied. 研究裂纹技术应用于分离脆性块体的分离理论和分离方法。 来自互联网

8 elites   

精华( elite的名词复数 )； 精锐； 上层集团； （统称）掌权人物

参考例句：

• The elites are by their nature a factor contributing to underdevelopment. 这些上层人物天生是助长欠发达的因素。
• Elites always detest gifted and nimble outsiders. 社会名流对天赋聪明、多才多艺的局外人一向嫌恶。

9 adverse   

adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的

参考例句：

• He is adverse to going abroad.他反对出国。
• The improper use of medicine could lead to severe adverse reactions.用药不当会产生严重的不良反应。

10 inspections   

n.检查( inspection的名词复数 )；检验；视察；检阅

参考例句：

• Regular inspections are carried out at the prison. 经常有人来视察这座监狱。
• Government inspections ensure a high degree of uniformity in the standard of service. 政府检查确保了在服务标准方面的高度一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》