President Moon's Meeting with Yu Myung-hee Support at Blue House: "Support Through Summit Diplomacy in Remaining Period" (Comprehensive)

WTO Secretary-General Election, Full Government Support... "Frankly, Slightly Behind but on the Rise"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] A meeting presided over by President Moon Jae-in was held at the Blue House to support Yoo Myung-hee, Director-General for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, who advanced to the final round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General election. The Blue House announced that the government will make every effort to support Director-General Yoo.

Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, stated on the 12th, "A meeting to support Yoo Myung-hee, the WTO Director-General candidate, presided over by President Moon Jae-in, was held from 11 a.m. for one hour." The meeting was attended by candidate Yoo, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yun-mo, and Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Koo Yun-cheol. Also present from the Blue House were Chief of Staff Noh Young-min, Policy Chief Kim Sang-jo, National Security Office Director Suh Hoon, and Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Hyun-jong.

Director-General Yoo Myung-hee said, "I am grateful that the President has actively supported me since the start of the election. I will focus on negotiation activities during the remaining period to become a Director-General who receives balanced regional votes and support from member countries in the final round." The WTO Director-General election process is known to be important not only to gain many votes but also to reduce losses and eliminate veto forces.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, "We have advanced to the final round in a tough competition," adding, "To achieve results in a short time, selection and concentration are necessary. I will also do my best."

Minister Kang Kyung-wha said, "Our candidate shines in trade experience and ability to resolve current issues," emphasizing, "An intensive campaign in a short period is important."

Minister Sung Yun-mo explained, "Our candidate was at a disadvantage in recognition at the start of the election but is currently on an upward trend in the latter half." Deputy Director Kim Hyun-jong said, "It is important to emphasize that she is a candidate who will restore multilateral trade."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Kang said, "President Moon expressed that Director-General Yoo is the right person to reform the WTO and stated his intention to continue summit diplomacy during the remaining period," adding, "They decided to support Director-General Yoo as much as possible through letter diplomacy and summit calls."

Additionally, the President requested Prime Minister Chung to actively engage in prime ministerial diplomacy and asked Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to play a diplomatic role in countries he visited during his tenure as Prime Minister.

A senior Blue House official explained regarding the election situation, "Many foreign media reports did not expect Director-General Yoo to advance to the final round. She was called an underdog at the start," adding, "Frankly speaking, it can be seen as a neck-and-neck disadvantage or as a chaser’s position. The clear fact is that she has performed remarkably well to advance to the final round and is on an upward trend."

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