英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun
North Korea’s missile launch a rash act that increases its isolation
北ミサイル発射　国際社会で孤立深める軽挙だ

North Korea apparently wants to flaunt the enhancement of its nuclear capability, but in reality, the country is just intensifying its international isolation.
　「核戦力」の増強を誇示したいのだろうが、実際は国際的な孤立を深めるだけである。

Pyongyang launched a missile believed to be a Nodong medium-range ballistic missile from around Sukchon in the western part of the country. It flew a distance of about 800 kilometers and fell into the Sea of Japan.
　北朝鮮が中距離弾道ミサイル「ノドン」とみられるミサイルを、西部粛川付近から発射した。約８００キロ飛行して、日本海に落下した。

According to the South Korean military, North Korea fired another missile, but it immediately disappeared from radar. It is possible that it exploded in the air.
　韓国軍によると、もう１発発射したが、直後にレーダーから消えた。空中爆発の可能性がある。

In response to North Korea’s nuclear testing and other incidents, the U.N. Security Council early this month adopted a resolution anew that bans the country from firing ballistic missiles.
　北朝鮮の核実験などを受けて、国連安全保障理事会は今月初旬、改めて弾道ミサイルの発射を禁じる決議を採択している。

Following the launch of short-range ballistic missiles a week ago, North Korea’s latest action clearly violates the resolution.
　北朝鮮の行動は、１週間前の短距離弾道ミサイル発射に続き、明白に決議に違反している。

It was reasonable that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned North Korea and said Japan would respond decisively while working closely with the international community.
　安倍首相が「国際社会と緊密に連携し、毅然きぜんとして対応する」と非難したのは、当然である。

North Korea is reacting more and more furiously against the Security Council’s resolution and U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises that started this month.
　北朝鮮は、安保理決議と、今月始まった米韓合同軍事演習に対して、反発を強めている。

According to the Korean Central News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that he will soon conduct a test explosion of a nuclear warhead and test-fire several types of ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear warheads.
　朝鮮中央通信によると、金正恩第１書記は、「核弾頭の爆発実験」と「核弾頭搭載可能な様々な弾道ミサイルの発射実験」を早期に行うと言い放った。

He also claimed that his country has succeeded in reducing the weight of nuclear warheads, and even suggested the country would become able to make a “preemptive nuclear attack” to counter the United States.
　核弾頭の軽量化に成功したとも主張し、米国に対抗する「核先制攻撃」までも示唆している。

Security concern for Japan

Kim apparently wants to strengthen his leadership in the run-up to the Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which is to be convened in May. However, many observers doubt that North Korea has advanced its miniaturization of nuclear warheads enough to load them on missiles.
　金第１書記は、５月の朝鮮労働党大会に向けて、自らの求心力を高めたいのだろう。しかし、核弾頭の小型化が、ミサイルに搭載できるレベルにまで進んだのは疑わしいとの見方が一般的である。

“If the latest missile launch leads to enhancement of North Korea’s ballistic missile capabilities, it will be a source of strong national security concern for Japan,” said Defense Minister Gen Nakatani.
　中谷防衛相は発射について、「弾道ミサイルの能力増強につながるとすれば、我が国の安全保障上、強く懸念する」と語った。

Pyongyang is said to have already deployed many Nodong missiles that could reach Japan. Because the missiles use mobile launchers, it is difficult to detect advance signs of launches. It remains necessary to keep an eye on North Korea’s attempts to improve the accuracy of its missiles by repeatedly conducting test-firings.
　日本を射程に収めるノドンは多数、実戦配備されているといわれる。移動式発射台を使うため、事前に発射の兆候をつかみにくい。発射を重ねて精度を高めることには警戒が怠れない。

Also, preparations must be made to deal with further military provocations North Korea might engage in to heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
　北朝鮮が朝鮮半島の緊張を高めようと、さらなる軍事的挑発に出ることにも備える必要がある。

The international community must not overlook the reckless attitude of Kim, who does not try to hide his ambition to possess nuclear-armed missiles.
　国際社会は、核ミサイル保有の野心を隠さない金第１書記の暴走を看過してはなるまい。

First, sanctions resolutions adopted by the U.N. Security Council should be strictly implemented. It is essential to enhance an international coalition that is working to shut down the flow of funds and materials necessary for development of nuclear missiles to North Korea.
　まずは、安保理制裁決議を厳格に履行すべきだ。核ミサイル開発の資金や物資を遮断する包囲網を強化することが欠かせない。

The tripartite security partnership of Japan, the United States and South Korea has become even more important for inhibiting North Korea’s reckless actions without being intimidated by its threats.
　北朝鮮の脅しに動じず、その暴発を抑止するには、日米韓３か国の安全保障面での連携がますます重要になっている。

Japan, the United States and South Korea are trying to organize summit talks of their leaders on the sidelines of a Nuclear Security Summit to be held in the United States late this month. We hope concrete measures that would improve the efficacy of sanctions will be discussed while obtaining China’s cooperation.
　今月末に米国で行われる核安全サミットに合わせて、日米韓は首脳会談を開催する方向だ。中国の協力を得つつ、制裁の実効性を高める具体策を協議したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19, 2016)