(LEAD) Moon seeks German support for selection of WTO chief
(ATTN: RECASTS throughout with Moon's request for German support for S. Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee's bid for the top post of the World Trade Organization; CHANGES headline)
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in on Thursday asked German Chancellor Angela Merkel to support South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee's bid to become the leader of the World Trade Organization in the latest diplomatic push to win the top post.
Moon said in the about 20-minute phone conversation that Yoo is the best person who can develop and bring back confidence in the world trade body.
Yoo has vowed to focus on rebuilding trust in the multilateral trading system by making it more relevant, resilient and responsive if she gets picked as the new director-general.
Yoo is competing with candidates from Nigeria, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Britain in the second round of the elimination process, which is set to run through next Tuesday.
In the second round, three out of five candidates will be removed, leaving just two runners in the third and final stage for the top post of the global trade body.
The final result -- which is to be selected through consensus among 164 member countries -- is widely expected to be delivered in early November.
Merkel told Moon that she thinks Yoo is a qualified candidate who has expertise for the top job of the WTO, according to the presidential office.
Yoo was appointed as trade minister in February last year, becoming the first woman to take the top-ranking position in the 70-year history of South Korea's trade ministry.
Last month, Moon also sent a letter to Germany seeking for its support for Yoo's bid.
Also last month, South Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gunn met with Stanley Loh, second permanent secretary at Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and asked for Singapore's support for Yoo's bid for the top post of the WTO.
Her bid comes amid escalating trade tension between the United States and China, and a frayed relationship between South Korea and Japan.
Last month, Yoo visited the U.S. to secure Washington's support for her campaign to become the next director-general of the WTO.
U.S. support is widely seen as crucial in winning the top post of the WTO, as the U.S. is the biggest contributor to the WTO in terms of budget.
In 2018, Moon met with Merkel in Brussels, Belgium, on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
New Defense Minister Lee takes office, warns of 'stern' response to possible N.K. provocations
-
(LEAD) Yoon taps ex-deputy NSA for spy chief
-
Gov't to significantly increase international flights to meet travel demand
-
Psy returns to Billboard Hot 100 after 7 years with 'That That'
-
(URGENT) Yoon takes oath of office
-
Full text of President Yoon's inaugural address
-
(2nd LD) Yoon offers to revive N.K. economy with 'audacious plan'
-
S. Korea to send condolence delegation to UAE over death of president
-
(3rd LD) Moon appeals for resumption of inter-Korean dialogue in farewell speech
-
(News Focus) With Yoon, S. Korea, U.S. to strengthen alliance, deterrence against N. Korea: experts
-
S. Korean Navy SEAL-turned-YouTuber in Ukraine claims to be injured
-
N. Korea asks China for help in fight against COVID-19: source
-
(LEAD) N. K. leader issues special order on medicine supply against epidemic: state media
-
Yoon offers unsparing COVID-19 aid to N. Korea
-
(4th LD) N. Korea reports 15 new deaths amid COVID-19 outbreak