WTO DG: Okonjo-Iweala Unstoppable as Yoo Drops from Race

The undisputed frontrunner in the WTO DG race, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is set to be named the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) after South Korea reportedly plan recalling its Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee from the race.

According to the Washington Trade Daily, Seoul is expected to announce this decision in the coming weeks thereby facilitating the appointment of Okonjo-Iweala, sources close to the situation has disclosed.

South Korea has already conveyed its decision to the United States which had been insisting on the selection of Yoo.

It would be recalled that the Donald Trump-led US administration had refused to accept the recommendation made by the WTO’s selection panel that Okonjo-Iweala be confirmed as DG, despite being voted for by 163 out of 164 members.

With South Korea’s withdrawal of Yoo, Okonjo-Iweala now has a clear path to be named the first female and first African head of the global trade body.