必克VOA新闻，每天一听，倾听世界，提高自我。
记者与你共努力！
Mocking Kim Jong Un, a Serious Matter
After major American theater chains decided not to run a new Hollywood comedy about a U.S. plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, its financial backer, Sony Pictures Entertainment, decided not to release it. The decision follows a threat by mysterious computer hackers to attack theaters showing the movie. North Korea's reaction to the “The Interview” underscores its intolerance for any ridicule of the country's young leader.
Inside North Korea, Kim Jong Un, like his late father and grandfather, is depicted as infallible.
The state-controlled media jubilantly reported that he won an election to the Supreme People's As百度竞价推广bly last year with 100 percent of the vote. Of course, his was the only name on the ballot.
So it is not surprising that North Korea is angry about “The Interview,” a dark comedy that ridicules the leader before depicting his assassination. The Foreign Ministry in Pyongyang called the film an act of war and promised retaliation.
Kim Yong-hyun, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University in Seoul, South Korea, says Pyongyong is very protective of its leader’s image.
“North Koreans react to satire very sensitively and there were some cases that they complained about it harming the dignity of their leader in the past,” says Kim Yong-hyun.
North Korea protested the movie “Team America: World Police” that comically depicted Kim Jong Un’s father, Kim Jong Il, when it came out a decade ago. But the country never took any provocative action in response.
That may have changed with the cyber attack on Sony. Pyongyang denied any involvement, but the unknown hackers who released confidential company information had threatened to release more unless the studio cancelled the release of “The Interview.”
Korea analyst Victor Cha with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington says Kim Jong Un’s weeks-long disappearance earlier in the year and the execution of his uncle indicate the young leader may be struggling to solidify his grip on power.
“The leadership transition is now three years old. We still don’t know if it’s entirely complete. There continue to be purges inside the country, which gives one the sense that there’s some turn inside the system,” he said.
Cha says lampooning Kim Jong Un’s carefully managed image can undermine the regime in a way that sanctions or hostile actions cannot.
“They can always rally the people around western hostility but western ridicule is harder for them to rally their people around because it raises questions about the leadership,” Cha said.
The commotion over a comedic film is adding to the tension in the region as international talks to curb North Korea’s nuclear program remains deadlocked and the United Nations continues to pressure the regime on charges of human rights abuses.
词语分析
recognize
困难程度：4星核心词语，属常用3000词
英汉讲解
vt.承认；认出；意识到；表示感激；辨别
参考例句
用作及物动词
His thorough knowledge and competence were recognized.
他的渊博的学识和工作能力得到了承认。
The firm recognized Tom's outstanding work by giving him an extra bonus.
公司发给汤姆一笔额外奖金以表彰他出色的工作。
************************
private
困难程度：5星基本词语，属常用1000词
英汉讲解
adj.私人的；个人的；私下的；私有些；缄默的
n.士兵；列兵
参考例句
用作形容词
The public is fascinated by the private lives of public figures.
公众对社会名流的私生活具备浓厚的兴趣。
用作名词
Soldiers are classified as Private, Specialist Sergeant and Master Sergeant.
士兵分为列兵、专业军士、军士长。
************************
impression
困难程度：3星常用词语，属常用6000词
英汉讲解
n.印象；感觉；模仿
n.印迹；印刷
参考例句
用作名词
Her gentleness has given me a deep impression.
她的亲切给我留下了非常深的印象。
The first edition of this dictionary has an impression of 10,000 copies and the total price is 1,000,000 yuan.
这部词典第一版印刷一万册，码洋为一百万元。
************************
storage
困难程度：4星核心词语，属常用3000词
英汉讲解
n.保管；贮藏；仓库；保管费；[计]存储器
参考例句
用作名词
The best place for storage of money is a bank.
银行是存钱最好的地方。
************************
poetry
困难程度：4星核心词语，属常用3000词
英汉讲解
n.诗歌；诗意；诗集
参考例句
用作名词
Poetry helps to interpret life.
诗能够帮助阐释生活的意义。
************************
petroleum
困难程度：3星常用词语，属常用6000词
英汉讲解
n.石油
参考例句
用作名词
Indonesia is abundant in petroleum deposits.
印尼的石油蕴藏量丰富。
Any new source of energy will be welcome, as there is a shortage of petroleum.
因为石油短缺，任何一种新能源都会受青睐。
************************
defend
困难程度：4星核心词语，属常用3000词
英汉讲解
v.防守；防护；辩护
参考例句
用作动词
Some players are better at defending.
有的运动员较善于打防卫。
See more information, you can visit us
英语口语测试 http://www.spiiker.com/daily/
在线学习英语口语 http://www.spiiker.com/english-plaza.jsp
