"미국, WHO 탈퇴 공식통보…유엔 사무총장에게도 전달"<br /><br />Our top story this morning.<br />The Trump Administration has formally started withdrawl of the United States from the World Health Organization making good on threats over the UN health body's response to COVID-19 pandemic.<br />The process will take twelve months to complete.<br />And we have our Kim Sung-min on the line for the details,...<br />Sung-min, President Trump had earlier stated his intention to do this.<br />Now it's formal....<br />Yes Se-min, the withdrawal decision has been confirmed by U.S. State Department.<br />It says the Trump administration on Tuesday notified the United Nations...,which is the depository for the WHO of its formal withdrawal from the organization.<br />U.S. Senator Bob Menendez also tweeted Tuesday that U.S. Congress received notification from President Trump about the news.<br />However, as you mentioned, this was not out of the blue.<br />President Trump expressed his intent to pull the U.S. out of the WHO in May..., blasting the institution as a tool for the Chinese government.<br />This was after the U.S. launched an investigation to identify the origin of COVID-19 and accused China for being responsible.<br />As the U.S. is the WHO's largest single contributor..., funding around 400 million U.S. dollars a year, it could deal a massive financial blow to the organization.<br />That was around 15 percent of the WHO's total budget in 2019.<br />And the sudden absence of such a large contribution comes amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and in other parts of the world.<br />What reaction have we seen so far and how will this process unfold?<br />Well,... this decision came despite the criticism from congressional lawmakers - even from within the Republican Party.<br />Earlier this month, House Republicans urged President Trump to change his mind, sayin g the U.S. could do more in its response to the pandemic if it stays within the WHO.<br />Especially since the U.S. has seen more than three million COVID-19 cases..., the world's worst-affected country..., there's a possibility the move could face barriers during the year-long withdrawal.<br />Experts say a lot hinges on whether President Trump wins reelection in November and if the idea draws support from Congress.<br />Until then, the decision could be reversed.<br />Back to you, Se-min.<br />
