An official with the US Department of Defense told CNN the test is not related to North Korea’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch.
一位美国国防部的高级官员对CNN表示，此次测试与朝鲜近期发射的洲际弹道导弹无关。
In the wake of the ICBM test, the US military and intelligence communities began to take a second look at the latest intelligence about North Korea’s nuclear warhead program, according to two US defense officials. North Korea has previously claimed it has successfully miniaturized a nuclear warhead that could go on the front end of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
据美方两位国防官员称，在弹道导弹测试之后，美国军方和情报机构开始了针对朝鲜核弹头计划最新进展的第二次调查。朝鲜方面在之前已经宣称成功将核弹头小型化并可以放入洲际弹道导弹前端。
Though analysts say it’s quite difficult to verify that claim, US commanders have decided, for the purposes of planning military options, they have to assume Pyongyang has that capability.
尽管分析师们认为很难证实朝鲜宣称的内容是否真实，但是美国的指挥官们计划用军事解决途径，所以他们必须假定平壤方面的消息属实。
The escalation of Pyongyang’s nuclear program also has prompted a closer look at the effectiveness of missile defense systems maintained by the United States and its allies.
随着平壤方面核武器计划逐渐扩大，对美国及其盟国的导弹防御效力也有了更高的需求。
The US military had already begun deploying the THAAD system in South Korea earlier this year, much to the chagrin of some of Seoul’s neighbors.
美国军方早在今年年初已经在韩国部署了萨德导弹防御系统，这也遭到了韩国民众的强烈反对。
Its presence is vociferously opposed by China, Russia and North Korea, which all say THAAD is fueling an arms race. Analysts note that Beijing’s biggest concern is likely that THAAD’s powerful radar could be used to snoop inside China and negate its own deterrent capabilities.
萨德系统也同样遭到了中国，俄罗斯和朝鲜的反对因为萨德加剧了军事竞争。分析师认为北京最关注的是萨德强大的雷达可能会用来探测中国而不是发挥它本身的威慑力。
But the system has detractors in South Korea, as well. THAAD’s deployment was approved by disgraced ex-President Park Geun-hye, who is currently on trial in a corruption scandal. Her more dovish successor, Moon Jae-in, campaigned on a promise to put the issue to the country’s Parliament.
在韩国同样存在萨德系统的反对者。因为萨德系统是由遭到弹劾的前任总统朴槿惠批准建造的，而朴槿惠目前正因腐败传闻在监狱服刑。她的继任总统文在寅在参选时承诺将会把此事递交给国会处理。
