President Moon: "The government should make every effort to support Head Yoom Yoon-hee" (Update)

In the morning meeting, a request to Cheongwadae aides... A phone call is also scheduled to wish Yeonghee Yun success

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in instructed the government to make every effort to support Yoo Myung-hee, the Director-General for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, who has advanced to the final round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General election, according to foreign media reports. President Moon plans to wish her success through a phone call while she is in self-quarantine following her overseas visit.

Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, said in a briefing at the Chuncheon Press Center on the afternoon of the 8th, "There were domestic and international reports that Yoo Myung-hee, Director-General for Trade Negotiations, has advanced to the final runoff round for the WTO Director-General election," adding, "This is the first time a Korean candidate has reached the final runoff round."

Spokesperson Kang added, "President Moon plans to make a call to wish Director-General Yoo success."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the Blue House morning meeting, President Moon said, "The biggest hurdle remains. Since we have come this far, please make every possible effort," emphasizing, "For the development of the multilateral trading system and free trade, the government must make every effort to support (Director-General Yoo)."

Spokesperson Kang said, "As President Moon said, it was not easy to come this far. The outlook was uncertain at the time of her candidacy," adding, "The government did not take the situation optimistically and made the best efforts."

The Blue House conveyed that Director-General Yoo emphasized her strength as the only incumbent minister-level candidate during her visits to Europe and the United States. It also explained that foreign media reported her as a candidate who could bridge the divisions between the U.S. and China, as well as between developed and developing countries.

In particular, Spokesperson Kang said, "Behind the decision to nominate a WTO Director-General candidate was President Moon's determination. Since her official candidacy, he has spared no cooperation and support," emphasizing, "Before passing the first round, at a meeting, Chief Presidential Secretary for Policy Kim Sang-jo said a presidential letter should be sent, and President Moon said he would not only send a letter but also make calls to leaders of necessary countries."

In fact, President Moon is known to have sent letters to 35 countries and made calls to leaders of five countries. Spokesperson Kang explained, "This is the background of recent series of calls with leaders of Germany, Russia, and others," adding, "In the letter, it was emphasized that the Republic of Korea has grown within the free trade order and holds a firm belief in multilateral trade, asserting that she is the right person to strengthen and restore the WTO's functions."

Spokesperson Kang said, "Since the biggest hurdle remains, it is difficult to be optimistic about the situation or to predict the outcome. We will humbly wait for the results with a mindset of doing our best and leaving the rest to fate."

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