美國防部長 平壤試射導彈顯示局勢危險
U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who arrived in South Korea on Thursday, says Pyongyang's recent missiles tests are a reminder of how dangerous the situation is on the Korean peninsula.
美國國防部長卡特說，平壤最近試射導彈提醒人們注意朝鮮半島非常危險的局勢。卡特是星期四抵達韓國的。
Speaking at Yokota Air Base in Japan before departing for South Korea, Carter told reporters he was "flattered" if the North Korean missile launches were meant to be a "welcome message" for him.
在離開日本前往韓國之前，卡特在橫田空軍基地對記者說，如果朝鮮發射導彈是送給他的“歡迎信號”，他會感到“榮幸”。The short-range missiles were launched this week into the sea off North Korea's west coast. North Korea also fired four missiles in a similar test last Friday.
朝鮮本星期向其西部沿海發射了短程導彈。上星期五，朝鮮在一次類似的試射中發射了四枚導彈。
It is not unusual for the North to conduct such tests ahead of visits to the region by U.S. officials or during moments of heightened tension with its foe, South Korea.
當美國官員訪問該地區之前，或平壤與韓國之間的關係趨於緊張之際，朝鮮經常會試射導彈。Seoul's defense ministry on Thursday called this week's test routine and said the projectiles did not represent a serious security threat to South Korea.
星期四，韓國國防部將朝鮮本星期試射導彈稱爲“例行公事”，並表示此舉並不構成對韓國安全的嚴重威脅。South Korean officials have also said the launches appear to be a response to the ongoing Foal Eagle joint military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea.
韓國官員還說，朝鮮試射導彈看來是對美韓舉行代號爲“雛鷹”的聯合軍演做出的反應。
