VOA标准英语 Amid Scuffles and Shouts, South Korea-US Trade Deal

A trade liberalization deal between South Korea and the United States has come a step closer to fruition. South Korean lawmakers passed the measure through a committee, over the shouts and scuffles of those opposing it.
　
Opposition¹ lawmaker Chun Jung-bae (r), tries to stop Park Jin, sitting left, lawmaker of ruling Grand National Party and committee chairman, from approving trade deal with US, during meeting at National Assembly in Seoul, 22 April 2009

South Korean parliamentary opponents of a major free-trade deal with the United States got physical in a committee hearing room, but failed to prevent the deal from advancing toward ratification².

Members of a far-left minority party surrounded trade committee Chairman Park Jin's podium and tried to physically³ block a vote to advance the trade deal to a full ratification vote. As opponents tried to take away his microphone and gavel, Chairman Park declared the committee's approval of the free-trade deal.

The trade deal was signed in June of 2007. Economists⁴ say it would strongly boost the already robust⁵ trade relationship between the two countries by making it easier to buy and sell each others' products.

But the deal is extremely controversial in South Korea, and the vote was not the first time the debate has gotten emotional or physical. Lawmakers smashed open doors and staged a weeks-long sit-in to prevent votes related to the deal earlier this year.

Opponents say the deal with make it easy for the far larger U.S. economy to overwhelm entire sectors⁷ of the South Korean economy, especially in the culturally sensitive agriculture sector⁶. South Korean farmers have held occasionally violent demonstrations⁸ over the years, and several farmers have committed suicide to protest the agreement.

The deal has opponents in the United States as well, especially among Democratic Party allies of President Barack Obama. They say South Korea has not done enough to open up key markets, especially in automobiles⁹.

Both countries need to ratify¹⁰ the deal for it to take effect. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and President Obama are expected to discuss the deal during a summit in June.

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 ratification   

n.批准，认可

参考例句：

• The treaty is awaiting ratification.条约正等待批准。
• The treaty is subject to ratification.此条约经批准后才能生效。

3 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

4 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 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。

6 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

7 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

9 automobiles   

n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后，就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上，汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

10 ratify   

v.批准，认可，追认

参考例句：

• The heads of two governments met to ratify the peace treaty.两国政府首脑会晤批准和平条约。
• The agreement have to be ratify by the board.该协议必须由董事会批准。