韓國將舉行大規模炮兵演習
South Korea’s military said yesterday it would conduct its largest ever artillery drill near the border with North Korea, a day after Pyongyang said it had resumed plutonium production and would continue nuclear tests.
韓國軍方昨天表示，將在韓朝邊境附近開展史上規模最大的炮兵演習。就在一天前，朝鮮表示已重啓鈈生產，並且會繼續進行核試驗。
Seoul’s defence ministry said the large-scale drill marked the first anniversary of exchange of fire near the demilitarised zone that separates the two Koreas. On August 20 last year, North Korea fired at a South Korean frontline army unit near the zone, prompting South Korea to fire back amid high tension on the peninsula.
韓國國防部表示，這次大規模演習是對韓朝雙方在非軍事區附近交火一週年的紀念。非軍事區將朝鮮與韓國分開。去年8月20日，在朝鮮半島局勢高度緊張之際，朝鮮曾向非軍事區附近的韓國前線部隊開火，促使韓國方面予以還擊。
About 300 artillery pieces from 49 artillery battalions will take part in the live-fire exercise to counter possible provocations from North Korea, the ministry said.
韓國國防部表示，來自49個炮兵營的大約300門炮將參加這次實彈演習，以反制來自朝鮮的可能挑釁。
It criticised Pyongyang for its reported resumption of plutonium production, saying it was a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit nuclear-related activities.
韓國國防部對報道所稱的朝鮮政府重啓鈈生產的行爲表示譴責，稱此舉明確違反了聯合國安理會(UN Security Council)禁止開展與核有關的活動的決議。
“We are well aware that North Korea has been seeking reprocessing [of spent nuclear fuel rods] to secure more plutonium,” the ministry said, adding that Seoul would discuss with related countries how to respond.
韓國國防部表示：“我們十分清楚，北韓一直在試圖再加工（廢棄核燃料棒），以獲得更多鈈。”該部還表示，首爾方面會與相關國家討論如何迴應。
Pyongyang told Kyodo News on Wednesday it had resumed plutonium production and had no plans to stop nuclear tests as long as perceived threats from the US continued.
週三，朝鮮政府曾向共同社(Kyodo News)表示，它已恢復鈈生產，而且只要它眼中來自美國的威脅繼續存在，就不打算停止核試驗。
North Korea’s atomic energy institute, which oversees the main nuclear facilities at the Yongbyon complex, said the country had also been producing highly enriched uranium necessary for nuclear arms and power generation “as scheduled”. The confirmation came after Kim Jong Un, North Korean leader, told a party congress in May that North Korea should strengthen its nuclear force in quality and quantity for self-defence.
負責寧邊(Yongbyon)主要核設施的朝鮮原子能研究院表示，朝鮮也一直在“按計劃”提煉核武器和發電所需的高濃縮鈾。該機構做出這一確認之前，朝鮮領導人金正恩(Kim Jong Un)今年5月在一次黨代會上表示，出於自衛，朝鮮應該從質和量兩方面加強其核力量。
The sabre-rattling comes amid questions over Mr Kim’s grip on power after North Korea’s deputy ambassador in London defected to the South. Seoul’s unification ministry said Tae Young-ho and his family were now under South Korean government protection.
朝鮮炫耀武力之際，金正恩對權力的掌控正面臨質疑，原因是朝鮮駐英國公使叛逃至韓國。韓國統一部表示，太勇浩(Tae Young-ho)及家人目前處於韓國政府保護之下。
It said his case underlined growing internal scepticism of Mr Kim’s regime in North Korea and weakening unity among its ruling elite.
該部表示，太勇浩一案突出表明，朝鮮內部對金正恩政權的懷疑日漸增加，精英統治階層越來越不團結。
