Myung-hee Myung-hee, head of the Trade Bargaining Headquarters of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said on the possibility of resigning as the secretary general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) today (17th), "Resignation is done when deciding who will advance to the next stage in the first and second stages. "We are continuing to create a consensus (consensus) for the finalists.



Director Yoo appeared on the radio today and responded when the host commented, "There is a big difference in the votes from the No. 1 candidate in some cases, so the possibility of Director Yoo's resignation is discussed."



"The difference between the actual votes is private, and the WTO presidency has never disclosed or said the difference between the votes. It is not appropriate to mention the difference between the votes that came out through media reports as it is not a credible basis." I said.



“The final stage of election of the secretary-general is not a voting, but a process of deriving a consensus over the final candidate, and constructive consultations seem to take longer than expected. Geneva, where the WTO secretariat is located, is holding a meeting as a measure to strengthen quarantine prevention. It is also a difficult situation,” he explained.



When asked about the possibility of winning, he answered in principle, "I will participate in the consensus process while consulting with major countries."



Headquarters Yoo, together with Nigeria's Candidate Okonjoyweala, made the final round of the next WTO Secretary General, but was pushed over to Okonjoyweala in a preference survey among member states.



As a result, the WTO tried to elect Okonjoyweala as the next leader through a consensus from 164 countries, but the United States expressed opposition and the brakes were put on hold.



Regarding the recent signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) by 15 countries, including South Korea, Director Yoo said, "After Corona 19, each country will spread free trade and promote multilateral trade in the era of protectionism, when trade barriers are further built. It has a great meaning in that regard,” he explained.



Regarding the possibility that the next Biden administration of the United States will demand South Korea's participation in the Trans-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP) in response to the China-led RCEP, "The Biden administration strengthened multilateralism and strengthened relations with allies. , “We are likely to consider a number of things, such as joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Circle Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (CPTPP),” he said. “RCEP and TPP are mutually complementary in terms of promoting trade liberalization in the Asian Pacific region.”



(Photo = Yonhap News)