S. Korea’s candidate for WTO top post named ambassador for economic affairs

Former South Korean trade minister Bark Tae-ho, who is running for the top post of the World Trade Organization, was appointed as an ambassador for economic and trade affairs, the foreign ministry said Monday.

The appointment is “aimed at supporting former trade minister Bark’s campaign activities for the director-general of the WTO,” the ministry said in a statement.

Bark is one of nine candidates who have applied for the WTO’s top job. Other competitors include Herminio Blanco Mendoza, a former Mexican minister, and Indonesia’s former trade minister Mari Pangestu.

Current WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy is set to step down in August when his second four-year term ends. His successor will be picked by May after each candidate highlights their strengths to the 158 WTO member states. (Yonhap News)