Andrew.Sheung
SK President: New Deal on Missiles Near(译:李明博:扩大韩国导弹射程新协议接近达成)---中英对照

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak indicated on Wednesday that talks between South Korea and the U.S. on extending the range of South Korea's missiles beyond the current 300 kilometer (186 miles) limit may be close to an agreement.

South Korea and the U.S. have reportedly been in discussions since last year to revise a 2001 bilateral agreement so that South Korea can develop missiles that could land anywhere in North Korea. The 2001 agreement restricts South Korea's missile capability for high-velocity missiles to a range of 300 kilometers and payload of 200 pounds. South Korea is allowed to develop slower, surface-skimming missiles that can go up to 800 miles.

Mr. Lee said that the U.S. and South Korea agree on the need for a 'new security environment.'

'The 300 kilometer range was set many years ago, predicated on the assumption that any fighting would be around the demilitarized zone (that separates North and South Korea),' Mr. Lee said in a group interview. His remarks were embargoed until Thursday.

'Now North Korea has missiles and long range artillery that can reach all the way down to Jeju Island. South Korea is in need of expanding its defense posture in case of any contingencies,' he said.

'The U.S. and South Korea have been discussing this issue and we believe a solution will be in place soon.'

Following North Korea's announcement of a rocket launch that appears set to jeopardize an agreement with the U.S. on the suspension of nuclear development and missile launches, Mr. Lee said more time would be needed to assess North Korea's intentions and the new regime's capacity for consistent decision making.

'One explanation of the rocket launch is that perhaps there was a plan already in place when they started talks with the U.S. However, a test firing would be a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions,' he said.

'Observing how Kim Jong Eun handles the situation and worldwide condemnation will be another litmus test of the new regime,' he said.

On North Korea's planned rocket launch, Mr. Lee said Japan would be justified in trying to shoot down the rocket if it enters Japanese airspace. Earlier this week, Japan's Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka said he may order the country's military to shoot down the rocket if it poses a danger to Japan.

'Japan has the sovereign right to do whatever they seem fit if their airspace is violated,' Mr. Lee said.
European Pressphoto Agency韩国天马导弹部队可以在10秒钟内发现并追踪20千米外的战斗机,还可以拦截离地5千米飞行的飞机。
韩国总统李明博(Lee Myung-bak)周三表示,韩国与美国就扩大韩国导弹射程范围的谈判可能接近达成协议。韩国导弹的射程目前被限制在300公里以内。

有报道称,韩国与美国自从去年起就一直在讨论修改2001年达成的一项双边协议,修改协议后韩国就能研发可投向朝鲜任一地点的导弹。2001年的协议规定,韩国高速导弹的射程不得超过300公里,有效载荷不得超过200磅(约90.8公斤)。按照规定,韩国可以研发速度较低的掠海飞行导弹,射程最远可达800英里(约1,280公里)。

李明博说,美国和韩国一致认为,有必要建立新安全环境。

李明博在接受媒体集体采访时说,300公里的导弹射程是很多年前制定的,当时认为,假如韩朝间爆发战争,地点都会在(分隔朝韩两国的)半岛非军事区。按照规定,不得在周四之前对他的这番话进行报道。

李明博说,朝鲜现在有了可以一直打到济州岛(Jeju Island)的导弹和远程大炮,韩国需要扩大防御阵势,以防出现意外。

李明博说,美国和韩国一直在讨论这个问题,我们认为很快就能拿出一个解决办法。

朝鲜宣布准备发射火箭的消息后,李明博曾说,需要花更多时间来评估朝鲜的意图以及朝鲜新政权能否在决策方面做到前后连贯。朝鲜的发射消息似乎势必会危及它与美国达成的暂停核研究及导弹发射的协议。

李明博说,对朝鲜发射火箭的一个解释是,也许他们在和美国开始谈判的时候就已经有了这样一个计划,不过试射行动显然是违反联合国安理会(United Nations Security Council)有关决议的。

李明博说,观察金正恩(Kim Jong Eun)对当前形势以及国际社会广泛谴责的应对,可以让人对朝鲜新政权有更多了解。

关于朝鲜拟进行的火箭发射,李明博说,如果火箭在飞行途中进入日本领空,那日本就有理由将其击落。日本防卫大臣田中直纪(Naoki Tanaka)本周早些时候曾说,如果朝鲜的火箭对日本构成危险,他可能会命令日本军方将其击落。

李明博说,如果日本的领空受到侵犯,日本就可以行使主权,采取一切它认为恰当的行动。

Mar 23, 2012 12:55 PM