Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter |

President Yoon Seok-yeol held a meeting with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Secretary-General of World Trade

Organization (WTO) at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul on Tuesday May 23, 2023.

The WTO Secretary-General said, “There is an analysis that global GDP will fall by 5% in the long run if the

world is decoupled and blocked. The need to establish digital trade rules is a very timely statement.” 

She said “I have seen fantastic developments in the digital field during my visit to a Korean company today

where I met young people working in the digital field.”

Korean president Yoon expressed, “I hope the WTO will take young Korean digital talents as interns and give

them a chance to work.”

“Recently, the WTO is planning a new program where young people from various organizations or govern-

ments of each country are invited to learn and experience at the WTO for about two years, and we will

discuss well with the head of the Trade Office so that young Korean talents can also participate,” Yoon said.

Subsequently, the WTO Secretary-General asked the President to take a more active role in the WTO reform and Korea's efforts to ratify the WTO fisheries subsidy agreement as soon as possible, and requested that

Africa pay more attention to supply chain diversification

President Yoon then said, “since the beginning of my inauguration, I have considered diplomacy with Africa

very important.” 

The President mentioned, “the UN in politics, and the WTO in economy and trade, have led the world towards peace and prosperity, I think they are the best product ever developed by mankind.” 

Therefore, it must be resolved within the framework of the WTO so that related industries can develop

through stable investments with predictability.”

The Korea-Africa Summit will be held in Seoul next year as well, mentioned by the president Yoon.