加劇東亞緊張局勢
North Korea continued two days of missile launches on Thursday, November 3, stoking tensions with South Korea and bringing Japan into the line of fire.
北韓在11月3日星期四繼續進行為期兩天的飛彈發射，加劇了與南韓的緊張關係，並將日本推向了火線。
stoke(v.)(朝火爐等)增添燃料、煽動;激起(不良想法或情感)stoke up racial hatred煽動種族仇恨
This recent increase in missile testing by Pyongyang, including the reported launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, has elicited strong reactions and rebukes from neighboring countries and the United States.
平壤最近飛彈試射頻率提高，其中據稱發射了洲際彈道飛彈，引起了鄰國及美國的強烈反彈與譴責。
intercontinental ballistic missile洲際彈道飛彈elicit(v.)引起;引導rebuke(n.) 斥責;指責;訓斥
Following the firing of 23 missiles on Wednesday, one of the missiles launched on Thursday put Japan on alert.
在週三發射了23枚飛彈後，週四發射的其中一枚飛彈使日本處於戒備狀態。
on alert 處於警戒狀態
Although the missile in question failed before completing its flight over Japan, with the warhead falling into the sea, the country’s J-Alert emergency broadcasting system warned citizens of the potential threat; three prefectures were evacuated as a precaution.
儘管該飛彈未能飛越日本，彈頭落入海中，但日本的J-Alert緊急廣播系統警告國民有潛在威脅，有三個縣進行預防性疏散。
in question正被談論的…;討論中的…with O OC附帶狀況的說明evacuate(v.)(把人從危險的地方)撤離;撤出;疏散precaution(n.)預防措施
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida issued a strongly-worded statement in response to the incident, saying: “North Korea’s repeated missile launches are an outrage and absolutely cannot be forgiven.”
日本首相岸田文雄對此事件發表措辭強硬的聲明，表示：「北韓一再發射飛彈令人憤慨，絕對不能原諒。」
outrage(n.)憤慨、義憤
In addition, one of North Korea’s missiles crossed the maritime border with the South.
此外，北韓的一枚飛彈越過與南韓的海上邊界。
Landing within 60 kilometers of the eastern coast of South Korea, the missile triggered air raid sirens, forcing people on the island of Ulleung to take shelter.
飛彈落在南韓東海岸60公里範圍內，觸發了空襲警報，迫使鬱陵島上的人們避難。
trigger(n.)(手槍)扳機(v.)引起、引發(壞事)take shelter躲避;避難;尋求庇護
South Korea was quick to respond to this incident “by launching three ground-to-air missiles of its own.”
南韓迅速「發射了三枚自己的地對空飛彈」來應對這起事件。
As Pyongyang has blamed US-South Korean joint military exercises for motivating its missile tests, the US was quick to condemn the recent round of launches.
平壤怪罪美國與南韓的聯合軍事演習為其飛彈試射的動機，美國很快譴責了北韓最新一輪的試射。
blame…for…把～怪在～之上motivate(v.)給予動機;使產生動機;激起
Adrienne Watson, a US National Security Council spokesperson, said that North Korea was not only flagrantly violating multiple UN Security Council resolutions, but also raising tensions and risking “destabilizing the security situation in the region.”
美國國家安全委員會發言人沃森表示，北韓不僅公然違反多項聯合國安理會決議，而且還加劇了緊張局勢，並有「破壞區域安全局勢穩定」的風險。
flagrantly(adv.)明目張膽地destabilize(v.)使不穩定、破壞、擾亂
The US has noted it will impose harsh consequences on Pyongyang if the tests continue.
美方指出，如果平壤繼續進行試射，將招致嚴重後果。
In order to counter these recent launches, the US and South Korean air forces have also announced the extension of joint aerial drills, showcasing military technology that experts say puts North Korea’s defenses at a distinct disadvantage in the case of any potential conflict.
為了應對北韓近期飛彈試射，美國和南韓空軍也宣布延長聯合空中演習，展示軍技，專家指出，在任何潛在衝突的情況下，北韓的防禦將明顯處於劣勢。
counter(v.)對抗;反制extension(n.)延長showcase(v.)展示=show=exhibitput…at a disadvantage使處於劣勢