Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is set to be named the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
It was gathered the chances of Okonjo-Iweala brightened after South Korea reportedly decided to withdraw its Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee from the race.
Accordingly, Seoul is expected to announce this decision in the coming weeks; thereby facilitating the appointment of Okonjo-Iweala, based on sources close to the situation.
Korea has already conveyed its decision to the United States; which had been insisting on the selection of Yoo. Part of the reason she was selected by Washington against Okonjo-Iweala is that she is close to the Democratic Party.
Washington refused to accept the recommendation made by the selection panel; chaired by General Council Chair Ambassador David Walker that Okonjo-Iweala is the candidate most likely of the two to attract consensus; because she clearly carried the largest support by the members in the final round.