VOA慢速英语：专家担忧韩国经济

Experts Worry About South Korea’s Economy

专家担忧韩国经济

Economic experts are concerned about South Korea's economy.

经济专家担忧韩国的经济。

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

韩国现代研究所最近在一份报告中提出，韩国经济于2017年5月见顶。

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

这一结果的出台正值韩国总统文在寅的艰难时期，其公众支持率一直在下降。

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.

盖洛普的一项民意调查显示，文在寅的支持率为45%，处于他总统任期中的最低。此外，大多数企业对他也没有好感。

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.

韩国现代研究所预测明年韩国的经济增速为2.5%，低于韩国央行预测的未来两年经济增长率在2.8%到2.9%之间。

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."

金素英是首尔国立大学的经济学教授。他对美国之音表示，经济正在放缓，但是现在还没到最糟糕的时候。

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.

钟敏(Chung Min)是韩国现代研究所的研究员。他预计韩国经济将在2019年下半年达到最低点。

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

他说：“韩国经济面临下行风险，例如贸易争端不断加剧。”

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

金素英表示，经济学家们还担心其它问题，例如家庭部门债务上升。

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.

宋泰允是延世大学经济学院的教授。他说，韩国经济在国际市场上失去了竞争力。

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，工人工资上涨，包括最低工资提高，这对企业造成了伤害。

Developing an economic plan

制定经济计划

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

韩国总统文在寅周一呼吁采取措施促进经济增长。

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."

文在寅在一场部长级会晤中呼吁制定增加创新监管和支持投资的政策。他还呼吁提升“区域经济和均衡发展。”

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，很难在5年任期内改变一个经济体。在韩国，总统的任期仅为5年。他补充说，改变经济政策方向需要时间和耐心。

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.

韩国现代研究所的钟敏表示，确实需要改变政策以支持经济投资。他呼吁提高在所谓社会间接资本上的支出，这是指社会认为重要的事务，例如图书馆、公园和社区项目，它们与工业没有直接联系。

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

钟敏表示，增加社会间接资本项目可能会缓解建筑行业的放缓，从而导致经济更加活跃。

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.

韩国现代研究所呼吁经济改革，包括降低利率。它还建议预算增加2019年上半年额外支出。

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.

金素英赞同改变目前的经济政策是明智的，因为韩国无法控制韩国外部的问题，例如贸易纠纷。

I'm Mario Ritter Jr.

马里奥·里特二世报道。