Yoo Myung-hee on Resignation Question: "WTO Director-General Still Being Selected"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] "The WTO chair panel has never once disclosed or mentioned the vote difference. The vote difference reported in the media is not based on any credible evidence disclosed by the WTO, so I don't think it is appropriate for me to comment on that. In the final runoff stage, it is not about someone withdrawing, but about reaching a consensus on the viable candidates, and this process is still ongoing."

On the 17th, Yoo Myung-hee, the head of the Trade Negotiations Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, hinted that she would not withdraw from the WTO Director-General election runoff.

Appearing on a radio broadcast that morning, Director Yoo said about the WTO Director-General election progress, "It seems to be taking longer than expected to reach consensus on the final candidate in the runoff stage," adding, "Due to strengthened quarantine measures in Geneva, Switzerland, where the WTO Secretariat is located, holding meetings is also difficult."

She continued, "In this process, major countries are continuing consultations to reach consensus, that is, agreement among member states."

When asked if they were waiting for the U.S. government to change, she replied, "I don't know that far," and added, "I understand that member states are well aware of and making efforts in the WTO rules process, which requires consensus among members for all decisions."

When asked if she would withdraw due to a large vote difference with Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala candidate, Director Yoo responded, "The WTO chair panel has never once disclosed or mentioned the vote difference."

Director Yoo explained, "The vote difference reported in the media is not based on any credible evidence disclosed by the WTO, so I don't think it is appropriate for me to comment on that."

When asked again about her intention to withdraw, Director Yoo answered, "In the first and second stages, candidates may withdraw when advancing to the next stage, but in the third and final runoff stage, the process is about reaching consensus among the remaining candidates with a high possibility of being elected."

Regarding her chances after the U.S. presidential election, she said, "Rather than saying there is a possibility, I would say that we are continuing to have constructive consultations with major countries and working to reach consensus."