[2025 Women Leaders Forum] Myunghee Yoo: "Foggy Global Landscape... Advantageous for Women Leaders"

"Uncertain Future of the U.S. Turnberry System"
"Overcoming Uncertainty Through Networks and Competence"

"We are no longer rule takers."

Myunghee Yoo, Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University, emphasized the need for leadership that opens up the future, stating that "an era where uncertainty has become a constant has arrived," at the "2025 Women Leaders Forum" hosted by The Asia Business Daily at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on November 6, 2025.

Professor Myunghee Yoo, Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University, is giving a lecture on the theme of "Leadership in the Era of Great Transformation" at the "2025 Women Leaders Forum" hosted by The Asia Business Daily at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on November 6, 2025. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

During her lecture on the theme of "Leadership in the Era of Great Transformation," Professor Yoo explained that the multilateral trade system, which once led the global trade order, has disappeared, and that bilateral trade systems are now spreading. She introduced the tariff negotiations between U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in July, noting, "The European Union defended the multilateral trade system even in the face of the United States' unilateral trade stance, but in the end, the United States and the EU negotiated over tariffs," adding, "Trade based on major powers is making a comeback."

Professor Yoo stressed that, along with the bilateral trade system, uncertainty now dominates the global trade order. She explained the "Turnberry System," announced by the Trump administration in its second term, and said, "No one knows what kind of future the Turnberry System will bring. One era has ended, and there is anxiety about what will come in the next era." The Turnberry System refers to the end of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which symbolized the multilateral trade system, and the emergence of a trade order based on bilateral trade systems.

She continued, "There was a time when countries competed in free trade, but now, as global supply chains can no longer be trusted, a new era of industrial competition to attract strategic industries to one's own country has begun." She added, "Economics and security, which used to operate separately, have now entered an era where economic means are weaponized for political purposes." Furthermore, she noted, "There is great uncertainty in international trade," and reiterated, "We are living in an era where uncertainty has become a constant."

Professor Yoom Myung-hee, Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University, is giving a lecture on the theme of "Leadership in the Era of Great Transformation" at the "2025 Women Leaders Forum" hosted by The Asia Business Daily, held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on November 6, 2025. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Professor Yoo pointed out that it is necessary to overcome the uncertainty in the global trade order through networks and competence. She said, "The United States is withdrawing from the multilateral trade system, and China is responding to U.S. actions with even stronger measures. It is important to recalibrate the changed relationship between the United States and China and to build a sustainable cooperative system." She added, "The path Korea should take is not to close its doors to trade, but to secure networks with more countries," emphasizing, "Above all, what overcomes an uncertain trade environment is competence."

Professor Yoo also introduced the concept of leadership in an era of uncertainty. She said, "We are living in a time where the direction and destination are unknown. For the nation, it is important to set the right direction in responding to this great transformation. For individuals, it is necessary to go beyond short-term responses, share a vision, and demonstrate leadership that prepares for the future." She further stated, "To demonstrate leadership, one must ultimately cultivate world-class competence in their field. No matter how much you may have clashed with counterparts during trade negotiations, I have realized that on the international stage, people respect each other's competitiveness and abilities."

Professor Yoo emphasized the need for communication skills and leadership that pioneers the future. She said, "It is not just about communication; the ability to adjust relationships and find common ground is important, and this is an area where women can excel." She added, "In the past, we simply accepted the rules made by major countries, but now we are in a position to create rules in new fields such as AI and climate change. I hope that women and young people will pioneer possibilities in their respective fields and demonstrate leadership that can lead the next generation."

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