VOA慢速英語：專家擔(dān)憂韓國經(jīng)濟

Experts Worry About South Korea’s Economy

專家擔(dān)憂韓國經(jīng)濟

Economic experts are concerned about South Korea's economy.

經(jīng)濟專家擔(dān)憂韓國的經(jīng)濟。

The Hyundai Research Institute recently suggested in a report that the economy "reached its peak in May 2017."

韓國現(xiàn)代研究所最近在一份報告中提出，韓國經(jīng)濟于2017年5月見頂。

The finding comes at a difficult time for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, whose public approval ratings have been falling.

這一結(jié)果的出臺正值韓國總統(tǒng)文在寅的艱難時期，其公眾支持率一直在下降。

An opinion study by Gallup Korea shows Moon's approval rating at 45 percent, the lowest of his presidency. Also, a majority of businesses do not have a good opinion of him.

蓋洛普的一項民意調(diào)查顯示，文在寅的支持率為45%，處于他總統(tǒng)任期中的最低。此外，大多數(shù)企業(yè)對他也沒有好感。

The Hyundai Research Institute predicts that the South Korean economy will grow at a rate of 2.5 percent next year. That is lower than the Bank of Korea's prediction of 2.8 to 2.9 percent over the next two years.

韓國現(xiàn)代研究所預(yù)測明年韓國的經(jīng)濟增速為2.5%，低于韓國央行預(yù)測的未來兩年經(jīng)濟增長率在2.8%到2.9%之間。

Kim So Young is an economics professor at Seoul National University. He told VOA that the economy is slowing down, but at present, "it's not at its worst."

金素英是首爾國立大學(xué)的經(jīng)濟學(xué)教授。他對美國之音表示，經(jīng)濟正在放緩，但是現(xiàn)在還沒到最糟糕的時候。

Chung Min is a research fellow with the Hyundai Research Institute. He predicts the economy will reach its lowest point during the second half of 2019.

鐘敏(Chung Min)是韓國現(xiàn)代研究所的研究員。他預(yù)計韓國經(jīng)濟將在2019年下半年達到最低點。

"The economy is faced with downward risks, such as deepening trade disputes," he said.

他說：“韓國經(jīng)濟面臨下行風(fēng)險，例如貿(mào)易爭端不斷加劇。”

Economists are also concerned about other issues, such as rising household debt, Kim So Young said.

金素英表示，經(jīng)濟學(xué)家們還擔(dān)心其它問題，例如家庭部門債務(wù)上升。

Taeyoon Sung is a professor in the School of Economics at Yonsei University. He said the Korean economy has lost competitiveness in the international marketplace.

宋泰允是延世大學(xué)經(jīng)濟學(xué)院的教授。他說，韓國經(jīng)濟在國際市場上失去了競爭力。

Sung said that the higher cost of wages for workers, including an increase in the minimum wage, have hurt businesses.

宋泰允表示，工人工資上漲，包括最低工資提高，這對企業(yè)造成了傷害。

Developing an economic plan

制定經(jīng)濟計劃

On Monday, the South Korean president called for measures to increase economic growth.

韓國總統(tǒng)文在寅周一呼吁采取措施促進經(jīng)濟增長。

At a meeting with government ministers, Moon called for policies that add "innovation in regulation" and support for investment. He also called for lifting "regional economies and balanced development."

文在寅在一場部長級會晤中呼吁制定增加創(chuàng)新監(jiān)管和支持投資的政策。他還呼吁提升“區(qū)域經(jīng)濟和均衡發(fā)展。”

Moon noted that it is difficult to "change an economy in a five-year term..." In South Korea, the president is limited to a single term of five years. He added that "changing the economic policy direction" takes time and requires patience.

文在寅指出，很難在5年任期內(nèi)改變一個經(jīng)濟體。在韓國，總統(tǒng)的任期僅為5年。他補充說，改變經(jīng)濟政策方向需要時間和耐心。

The Hyundai Research Institute's Chung Min said that rules do need to be changed to support investment in the economy. He called for more spending on what is called social overhead capital, known as SOC. These are things that society considers important, like libraries, public parks and community projects, which are not directly linked to industry.

韓國現(xiàn)代研究所的鐘敏表示，確實需要改變政策以支持經(jīng)濟投資。他呼吁提高在所謂社會間接資本上的支出，這是指社會認(rèn)為重要的事務(wù)，例如圖書館、公園和社區(qū)項目，它們與工業(yè)沒有直接聯(lián)系。

Chung said an increase in SOC projects could ease a slowdown in the building industry "leading to a more active economy."

鐘敏表示，增加社會間接資本項目可能會緩解建筑行業(yè)的放緩，從而導(dǎo)致經(jīng)濟更加活躍。

The Hyundai Research Institute has called for economic changes, including a cut in interest rates. It also suggested that the budget permit additional spending in the first half of 2019.

韓國現(xiàn)代研究所呼吁經(jīng)濟改革，包括降低利率。它還建議預(yù)算增加2019年上半年額外支出。

Kim So Young agreed that changes to current economic policies were wise because South Korea cannot control issues outside the country, such as trade disputes.

金素英贊同改變目前的經(jīng)濟政策是明智的，因為韓國無法控制韓國外部的問題，例如貿(mào)易糾紛。

I'm Mario Ritter Jr.

馬里奧·里特二世報道。