South Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee, has withdrawn her bid to contest for the Director-General role of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Her withdrawal from the race makes former Nigerian Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the sole candidate in the race for the role of the Director-General of the WTO.
Ms Myung-hee, according to sources made the disclosure while in the United States – presumably to the US President, Joe Biden.
According to reports, Ms Myung-hee took various issues into account, including the need to revitalize the multilateral organization.
The withdrawal comes after dozens of former US government officials urged President Joe Biden to endorse Okonjo-Iweala after the Trump administration blocked her selection.
If the US, Korea and other 162 WTO members join a consensus to appoint Okonjo-Iweala, the WTO can announce a meeting to confirm her appointment within a matter of days.
If confirmed, Okonjo-Iweala would be the first woman and the first African to lead the organization in its 25-year history.
