VOA常速英语2008年-South Korea Inaugurates Lee Myung-bak as Presid

By Kurt Achin
Seoul
25 February 2008

The former Seoul mayor who swept December elections in South Korea is getting used to his new title: Mr. President. Lee Myung-bak has taken his oath of office in a formal ceremony in the South Korean capital. VOA Seoul Correspondent Kurt Achin reports.

Performers brought the sights and sounds of South Korea's rich cultural past and present to life Monday, as they heralded¹ the arrival of Lee Myung-bak to the grounds of the country's parliament for his inauguration² ceremony.

Incumbent³ President Roh Moo-hyun, numerous international dignitaries, and some 60,000 spectators looked on as Mr. Lee raised his right hand and formally assumed his title.

Mr. Lee swears to uphold the law and defend his country, formally known as the Republic of Korea. He is now the 17th president in South Korea's history. In his inaugural⁴ address, President Lee called economic revival⁵ South Korea's "most urgent task."

During his campaign, Mr. Lee promised a more business-friendly environment with fewer regulations and better incentives⁶ for innovation. He also promised ties with the United States would receive attention.

Mr. Lee says he will turn the close South Korea-U.S. bond into a future-oriented relationship. He promises to fortify⁷ the U.S. alliance under the solid historical trust built between the two nations.

The United States and South Korea have been close allies since Japanese occupation forces on the Korean peninsula were defeated at the end of World War II. About 28,000 U.S. forces are stationed here, to deter⁸ a repeat of communist North Korea's 1950 invasion. However, the alliance was widely perceived to have suffered during the Roh administration, primarily over different perceptions of the North.

Mr. Lee has promised to revise what most conservatives here view as an overly generous and uncritical policy of aid and cooperation with Pyongyang. Some experts say South Korean cash and assistance made it easier for Pyongyang to test its first nuclear weapon in October 2006.

Mr. Lee says he is ready to cooperate with North Korea, if it is ready to give up nuclear weapons. He repeats his campaign pledge that if the North gives up nuclear ambitions and opens up the country, the two sides can pave a new cooperative path. That includes working with international investors⁹ to raise North Koreans' per capita income to $3,000 a year.

After a symphony performance wrapped up the event, Mr. Lee greeted supporters from his motorcade in a ride around Seoul. His diplomatic schedule was set to start right away, including Monday afternoon meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

1 heralded   

v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要）

参考例句：

• The singing of the birds heralded in the day. 鸟鸣报晓。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of the King. 嘹亮的小号声宣告了国王驾到。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

3 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

4 inaugural   

adj.就职的；n.就职典礼

参考例句：

• We listened to the President's inaugural speech on the radio yesterday.昨天我们通过无线电听了总统的就职演说。
• Professor Pearson gave the inaugural lecture in the new lecture theatre.皮尔逊教授在新的阶梯讲堂发表了启用演说。

5 revival   

n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振

参考例句：

• The period saw a great revival in the wine trade.这一时期葡萄酒业出现了很大的复苏。
• He claimed the housing market was showing signs of a revival.他指出房地产市场正出现复苏的迹象。

6 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

7 fortify   

v.强化防御，为…设防；加强，强化

参考例句：

• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。
• This treaty forbade the United States to fortify the canal.此条约禁止美国对运河设防。

8 deter   

vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住

参考例句：

• Failure did not deter us from trying it again.失败并没有能阻挡我们再次进行试验。
• Dogs can deter unwelcome intruders.狗能够阻拦不受欢迎的闯入者。

9 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会