Learning English - Words in the News

03 October, 2007 - Published 13:44 GMT

Korea leaders in historic talks

The leaders of North and South Korea have begun formal talks on the second day of their historic summit in Pyongyang. However, correspondents say expectations for any lasting progress between the two countries are modest. This report from John Sudworth:

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The second day of this rare three-day meeting of the two Korean leaders has been set aside for the main negotiations, but very little information has been released about exactly what President Roh Moo-hyun and Chairman Kim Jong-il will be talking about. It's thought the two leaders may discuss some contentious military issues - the location of the sea boundary between their two countries for example, and proposals to strengthen economic ties.

Meanwhile, the body language between the two leaders during their public walkabout in Pyongyang is being heavily scrutinised, with some commentators suggesting Kim Jong-il's frosty demeanour conveyed a lack of enthusiasm and sincerity. The South Korean government has responded, saying it is receiving a wholehearted and appropriate welcome.

John Sudworth, BBC News, Seoul

Listen to the words
rare

very unusual, not common

the main negotiations

the primary discussions, the most important talks

contentious

controversial, something that the two sides (here, North and South Korea) strongly disagree about

the sea boundary

an imaginary line in the ocean which divides the waters of North and South Korea (a boundary is a real or imagined line that marks the separation between things)

economic ties

the trading and business connections between the two countries

the body language

the way people show their true feelings or how they really feel by the way they move their hands, face and bodies (even if they say they feel something different)

public walkabout

when famous people walk around public places and meet members of the public

heavily scrutinised

looked at very closely or carefully

frosty demeanour

looking or behaving in a cold or unfriendly way

wholehearted

very enthusiastic
Read more about this story

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Le deuxième jour de cette réunion rare de trois jours des deux leaders coréens a été mis de côté pour les négociations principales, mais très petites informations ont été sorties d'exactement ce que le Président Roh Meugle-hyun et le Président Kim Jong-il parlera de. Il a pensé que les deux leaders peuvent discuter quelques questions(publications) militaires litigieuses - l'emplacement de la frontière de mer entre leurs deux pays par exemple et des propositions de renforcer des liens économiques

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En attendant, le langage du corps entre les deux leaders pendant leur bain de foule public à Pyongyang est lourdement scruté, avec quelques commentateurs suggérant le comportement glacial de Kim Jong-il a transmis un manque d'enthousiasme et la sincérité. Le gouvernement coréen du sud a répondu, le disant reçoit un accueil sincère et approprié.