Yoo Myung-hee Advances to WTO Director-General Election Round 2... US, Germany, France Conduct 'Pinpoint Campaign'

Uncertain Optimism Due to Awareness and Experience
Campaigning in Germany and France Key to Winning 26 European Votes
US a Variable Without WTO Support Amid Conflict with China
Tailored Election Strategies Essential to Gain Major Country Support

Yoo Myung-hee, Director-General for Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced on the 18th at noon (local time, 7 p.m. Korean time) that Yoo Myung-hee, the Chief Negotiator of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, has advanced to the second round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General election.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained that among the eight candidates, including Chief Negotiator Yoo, the candidates from Mexico, Egypt, and Moldova, who had low support in the first round, were eliminated after the competition from July to early this month.

Along with Chief Negotiator Yoo, the second round will be contested by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Finance Minister of Nigeria; Amina Mohamed, former WTO General Council Chair from Kenya; Liam Fox, former UK Secretary of State for International Trade; and Mohammad Al-Tuwaijri, former Minister of Economic Planning of Saudi Arabia.

Experts urge the government to focus on key countries such as the United States, Germany, and France. In particular, it is crucial not to lose Germany and France, which are considered to have secured the votes of the 26 European Union (EU) member states.

In the remaining election, complex variables are expected to come into play, such as China and Japan's public declaration to support Africa, and the reaction of the United States, which failed to gain WTO support amid the US-China tariff conflict.

◆Evaluation of Incumbent Minister’s Expertise and Negotiation Experience with Developed and Developing Countries

On July 22, at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport, businesspeople and expatriate families heading to Vietnam are seen completing their boarding procedures. Director Yoo recently achieved results such as the businesspeople fast track during the expansion phase of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated that the majority of WTO member countries recognized Chief Negotiator Yoo’s premium as an incumbent trade minister.

Her 25 years of expertise on the international trade stage combined with the political influence of being a current minister were widely acknowledged.

Additionally, her experience in successfully concluding negotiations with both developed and developing countries helped build trust and leadership, which was a driving force behind passing the first round.

As Korea is a country that achieved economic development through trade liberalization, the fact that it is a beneficiary of the multilateral trading system advocated by the WTO also strengthened Chief Negotiator Yoo’s position.

◆A Tough Battle with Four Strong Candidates with High Recognition and Experience... Focused Strategy on the US, Germany, and France

According to experts, the voting intentions of the 26 European Union (EU) countries tend to be unified according to the preferences of leading countries such as Germany and France. (Image source=EPA Yonhap News)

The second-round opponents include candidates from Nigeria, the UK, and Kenya, who were considered strong contenders even before the election began.

It is evaluated that the personal qualities and expertise that helped Chief Negotiator Yoo pass the first round, along with the elevated national brand during the COVID-19 pandemic such as the 'K-quarantine,' and the collaboration of a government-wide task force including the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and overseas missions, are not enough to easily overcome these tough competitors.

This is why there is advice to go beyond campaigning to the majority of member countries and focus on key countries holding decisive votes such as the United States and Germany.

Chief Negotiator Yoo has already been conducting a rational election campaign by meeting directly with political and business figures in Washington, USA, from the 15th to the 18th to appeal for support.

Securing the 26 EU member states, whose votes tend to be influenced by the intentions of major countries like Germany and France, is also essential.

◆Government: "All-out effort from October 6 to early November"

Government of the Republic of Korea

The second round is scheduled from the 24th of this month to the 6th of next month. WTO member representatives will select up to two candidates out of five. The three candidates with the lowest support will be eliminated. The results are expected around November 6-7.

Since each member country can only cast two votes, the competition is expected to become even fiercer.

Looking ahead, there are many complex variables such as ▲the US and China’s cooperation requests before the US presidential election in November ▲the US’s response after failing to gain WTO support amid the US-China tariff conflict ▲the reactions of China and Japan, who declared support for Africa ▲and the moves of Japan’s Suga Cabinet during the Korea-Japan WTO litigation process.

The final third round will be a one-on-one contest between two candidates, where the Director-General is appointed by consensus, meaning if no country expresses opposition, the candidate is considered agreed upon without a separate voting procedure.

If consensus is not reached, a vote will be held inevitably. Although the specific schedule for the third round has not been set, it is expected to be finalized around late October to November 7.

A government official said, "We plan to continue government-wide support and efforts to assist Chief Negotiator Yoo’s election activities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.