bargaining chip#2
北朝鮮に勾留中の米国人2名の裁判が開始されました。1人が拘束された理由は,ホテルに聖書を置き忘れたからだそうです。よく分かりません。もう1人はビザを破いたことが原因であるそうです。記事の名で気になった単語は"bargaining chip"です。『Wisdom英和辞典第三版(三省堂)』によると「交渉の切り札,交渉材料」などという意味がありました。ここでは,「外交交渉上の切り札」と訳せると思います。(Ume)
N Korea to put two US tourists on trial
Jeffrey Fowle entered North Korea on 29 April and was detained in early June as he was leaving the country, according to North Korean reports.
Japanese agency Kyodo said Mr Fowle was arrested because he left a Bible at a hotel.
Matthew Todd Miller was arrested on 10 April, KCNA reported.
The agency said he had torn up his tourist visa, shouting that he had "come to the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] after choosing it as a shelter".
North Korea uses the arrested Americans as diplomatic bargaining chips.
In the past, senior US figures including former President Bill Clinton have travelled to the country to ensure the release of American detainees.