Foreign Media: "Yoo Myung-hee Reaches WTO Final Round"... Will President Moon's Summit Diplomacy Support Bear Fruit?

President Moon's Series of Calls with Russian, German, and Brazilian Leaders, Diplomatic Efforts to Support Yoo Myung-hee for WTO Director-General

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Yoo Myung-hee, the head of the Trade Negotiation Headquarters at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, who received side support through “summit diplomacy” by President Moon Jae-in, has advanced to the final round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General election, according to foreign media reports.

Foreign media such as Bloomberg cited sources on the 7th (local time) reporting that Yoo Myung-hee advanced to the runoff along with Nigerian candidate Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The WTO Secretariat is scheduled to make an official announcement at an informal ambassador-level meeting on the morning of the 8th.

If she actually advances to the final round, she is expected to be recorded as the first Korean head of the WTO. Experts explain that the WTO Director-General election is largely determined by the “behind-the-scenes election” between countries.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

While Yoo’s personal competitiveness is important, it means that behind-the-scenes support persuading other governments with voting rights must bear fruit to win the competition. President Moon directly requested support for Yoo through a series of phone calls with leaders of major countries.

On the 1st, during a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Moon said, “Yoo Myung-hee is the best candidate to develop the WTO and restore trust in the multilateral trading system, given her long experience and expertise in trade.” Chancellor Merkel responded, “We see Korea’s candidate Yoo Myung-hee as a capable and professional candidate.”

President Moon’s phone call with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on the 5th is also noteworthy. Roberto Azev?do, the former WTO Director-General who announced his resignation in May, was a Brazilian diplomat.

President Moon said, “We are well aware that Brazil, as the country that produced the previous WTO Director-General, has contributed greatly to the development of the WTO,” and requested support for Yoo. President Bolsonaro said, “I fully recognize candidate Yoo’s capabilities.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 28th of last month, President Moon also requested support during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Yoo is the best candidate to develop the WTO through her expertise and leadership in trade. President Putin highly evaluated Yoo and expressed his intention to cooperate to overcome protectionism and restore trust in the WTO.

Recently, President Moon’s appeals for support for Yoo during phone calls with leaders of major countries are noteworthy. The Blue House’s efforts for Yoo’s election go beyond personal glory.

It could be an opportunity to raise Korea’s international status as a model country for COVID-19 prevention. The president’s direct side support is an action that bears political risk. Initially, there were predictions that Yoo would be at a disadvantage in the election dynamics, and Japan’s open opposition was also a burden.

If Yoo were to be eliminated early despite President Moon’s direct support, it could lead to political risk. If Yoo advances to the final round as reported by foreign media, President Moon’s support efforts are expected to be reexamined. The Blue House plans to continue its support efforts until the end if Yoo advances to the final round.

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