and ballistic missiles threatens the entire world

以及彈道飛彈威脅著整個世界

with unthinkable loss of human life.

因為這些武器將會犧牲無以計數的人

For the past year, the world's been extremely anxious

從去年到現在，全球一直緊張地觀看

as it watched North Korea and the US

北韓以及美國

apparently edging ever closer to war.

明顯地瀕臨發布戰爭

There must now be hope that we are moving away from the path towards war,

必定有我們可以避免發生戰爭的方式

but it's premature to say that it's the end of the crisis.

但要說危機已經解除的話也還太早

These are two very volatile leaders, Donald Trump

這兩位是非常不可預測的領導人：川普

and Kim Jong-un.

還有金正恩

And also the issues that they need to resolve are very, very difficult.

他們需要共同解決的問題是非常非常地困難

It's not at all clear that North Korea is ready

北韓尚未表示將

to abandon its nuclear weapons programme,

放棄核子武器的計畫

which is what Donald Trump has demanded in the past.

這與川普在過去的訴求相反

And so if they don't, it may be that the two leaders simply

所以如果他們沒有達成共識，這兩位領導人

reach a stalemate.

將會陷入僵局

The risks are that once you have a summit between two leaders,

這兩位國家首領的高峰會所帶來的風險是

if they fail, then it's possible that diplomacy has simply

如果他們失敗了，那很有可能不會有其他的

run out of road and you're looking

外交手段了，而我們全人類也將

once again at the prospect of a military clash.

再度面臨爆發戰爭的可能性

Normally, a summit like this would

一般來說，像這種高峰會

be very carefully prepared by diplomats

都會由外交官小心翼翼地準備

who would know in advance, more or less, what

因為他們的專業容許他們在事前可以或多或少

the prospects of an agreement are.

預測會後所達成的協定大概會如何

But this is much more spontaneous.

但這個高峰會隨興多了

Well, clearly, the two leaders are the most important figures.

很顯然的，兩位領導人都是最重要的人物

But there is a regional context.

但背後還有一件事

This happened essentially because of a South Korean

這件事情發生的原因其實是南韓的

diplomatic initiative.

一位外交官所觸發的

And it was significant that it was

這很重要因為是

a South Korean national security advisor in Washington

一位身在華盛頓的南韓國家安全顧問

who announced this.

所宣布的

They've brokered this deal.

他們以中間人的身份安排了這個協議

And it's very important for the US that South Korea stays

而對美國來說，南韓與美國站在同一陣線十分重要

on board because they are, after all,

畢竟南韓

the country that is most at risk from the North Korean nuclear programme.

是最直接受北韓核武威脅的國家

And similarly, you cannot edit China out of this picture.

還有同時，中國也佔了很重要的角色

China is the great sponsor of North Korea.

中國是北韓最大的盟友

It will be simultaneously pleased by the idea

中國或許會

that there is some kind of de-escalation going on,

對於美國與北韓的情勢有好轉感到滿意

but also perhaps unhappy at the idea

但也可能同時對於自己沒有參與這個高峰會感到不愉快

that China has not got a place at the table.

但也可能同時對於自己沒有參與這個高峰會感到不愉快