VOA标准英语2008年-South Korea Lifts US Beef Ban, Warns Demonstrat

South Korea has lifted a formal ban on U.S. beef imports. Authorities are also taking a harder line on street protesters opposing the imports, now that an amended¹ deal has been reached with Washington. VOA's Kurt Achin reports from Seoul.

South Korean authorities says inspections² of warehoused U.S. beef can begin immediately. They took final administrative³ steps which could make the beef available to South Korean consumers as early as next week.

More than 5,000 tons of U.S. beef are being held in South Korean customs facilities. It was shipped in expectation that South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's April deal to resume U.S. beef imports would soon go into effect.

South Korea banned U.S. beef five years ago, after a single American animal was found to have mad cow disease. Doctors say the brain ailment⁴ can be transmitted in some cases to humans who consume tainted⁵ beef.

There has never been a documented human case of such brain disease linked to consumption of U.S. beef. Regardless, many South Koreans have become convinced U.S. beef poses a health threat, and have conducted about two months of street protests against President Lee.
　
South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo (r) delivers a speech during a news conference at the Government House in Seoul, 26 Jun 2008

South Korea and the United States have now amended the beef import deal to bar shipments of older beef, seen as having a higher risk of mad cow disease. Prime Minister Han Seung-soo urged the nation to accept the new deal.

He says the beef deal may not be perfect, but the government has done its very best to safeguard the people's health.

Han adds, the government will take strict measures against illegal protests. Violence and illegal actions, he says, are intolerable.

South Korean police are already taking a more robust⁶ approach toward protesters, who have dwindled⁷ in numbers but become more aggressive.

About 130 people were detained early Thursday after assaulting police vehicles, and engaging in scuffles with officers on duty.

　

 

1 Amended   

adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He asked to see the amended version. 他要求看修订本。
• He amended his speech by making some additions and deletions. 他对讲稿作了些增删修改。

2 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》

3 administrative   

adj.行政的，管理的

参考例句：

• The administrative burden must be lifted from local government.必须解除地方政府的行政负担。
• He regarded all these administrative details as beneath his notice.他认为行政管理上的这些琐事都不值一顾。

4 ailment   

n.疾病，小病

参考例句：

• I don't have even the slightest ailment.我什么毛病也没有。
• He got timely treatment for his ailment.他的病得到了及时治疗。

5 tainted   

adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏

参考例句：

• The administration was tainted with scandal. 丑闻使得政府声名狼藉。
• He was considered tainted by association with the corrupt regime. 他因与腐败政府有牵连而名誉受损。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 robust   

adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的

参考例句：

• She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
• China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。

7 dwindled   

v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Support for the party has dwindled away to nothing. 支持这个党派的人渐渐化为乌有。
• His wealth dwindled to nothingness. 他的钱财化为乌有。 来自《简明英汉词典》