Myung-hee Myung-hee, head of the Trade Bargaining Headquarters of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, announced the resignation of the candidate for the secretary-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the government office in Seoul on the 5th. News 1
– Myung-hee Myung-hee, head of the trade negotiations headquarters of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, gave up the challenge seven months after the election of the Secretary General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
General Manager Yoo announced on the 5th that “we have decided to resign as the WTO secretary general candidate.” Director-General Yoo explained, “We have been in consultation with major countries such as the United States to draw consensus (all agreements) for the next secretary-general of the WTO.
Headquarters Yoo passed the first and second rounds (consultation with member states) for the election of the next secretary-general last year, and became two finalists out of eight candidates. However, in the third round preference survey conducted in October last year, he was in a disadvantageous position as he was pushed down by Nigeria’s candidate Okonjoyweala.
WTO member states have not yet reached an agreement on the election of the secretary-general. This is because the United States was opposed to the Nigerian candidate supported by China. The WTO makes all decisions, including the election of the Secretary-General, at the consensus of 164 Member States. The election of the secretary-general is not possible if there are member states opposing a particular candidate.
Until now, General Director Yoo has maintained the position with the support of the administration of former US President Donald Trump. However, with the election of President Joe Biden, who values multilateral foreign policy, the US is expected to empower Nigerian candidates who are supported by many member states. It is possible to analyze that the Biden administration’s’Erase Trump’ had an effect on the background of Director Yoo’s decision to resign.
“The Trump administration strongly supported me,” said Yoo. “From this year on, I decided to resign because I thought that the WTO should be able to restore full-fledged multilateral functions, and the US government respected my decision.” .
With the resignation of General Manager Yoo, the Korean government is expected to agree to the appointment of the Nigerian candidate as WTO secretary general. General Manager Yoo said, “Korea will actively participate in the consensus like all member states in the future.”
General Manager Yoo said, “The total support from the government, including President Moon Jae-in, has been a great driving force that enabled me to be selected as the final two candidates among the contenders. The passionate support that the people showed throughout the election was also a great help,” he said.
The Ministry of Industry explained, “In the future, headquarter Yoo and the government will contribute in various ways to restore and strengthen the multilateral trading system.” The process of selecting the next WTO secretary-general is expected to be discussed at the WTO general board meeting in the future.
Sejong = Reporter Seongbin Lim [email protected]
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