WTO 사무총장 입후보 내일 마감… 첫 여성 수장 나올까<br /><br />The WTO is accepting nominations for a new director-general... and there are only hours left until the window closes.<br />It's likely that there will be five contenders... and South Korea's trade minister Yoo Myung-hee is one of them.<br />Our Kim Dami has this report.<br />The campaign to lead the World Trade Organization during the most stormy era of its 25-year existence has begun.<br />From dealing with the global economic recession caused by COVID-19 to tackling the U.S.-China trade war,... the next director-general has a lot on their plate.<br />And South Korea's trade minister Yoo Myung-hee is running for the top job.<br />She has vowed to improve the agency's processes and re-establish its position of resisting global protectionism.<br />"With all my experience and competency, I pledge to resolve the difficulties that WTO members are facing and open a new future for the agency."<br />Starting her public service career back in 1992, Yoo is a renowned trade negotiator with 25 years of experience.<br />She also is the third South Korean to run.<br />She will be competing against four other contenders from Egypt, Nigeria, Moldova and Mexico.<br />If the Yoo does win, she will be the trade body's first female leader.<br />The previous heads of the WTO and its predecessor, the General Agreement on Trades and Tariffs, have typically come from European countries like France and Switzerland.<br />The Washington Post has noted that there is a strong push among Geneva trade delegates to select a woman to lead the agency for the first time.<br />Experts say the chances of Yoo Myung-hee winning are 50/50.<br />"As almost the only country in the world that has grown so much through trade, South Korea has a lot to share and offer to other developing countries. And Korea will also have more opportunities to speak out and improve systems including those related to trade conflicts."<br />Japan claimed earlier on Tuesday that it would try to prevent Yoo from winning.<br />Despite Japan's pressure, experts note Tokyo's influence will be limited considering its lack of standing in the WTO.<br />As the current director-general will be stepping down at the end of August, the WTO plans to shorten the 9 month-long selection process.<br />During that process, the candidates will present themselves to the WTO's membership, campaign for support and sit for a Q&A session with the WTO General Council.<br />The General Council will then narrow the field of candidates until they reach a consensus around a single contender.<br />Kim Dami, Arirang News.<br />
