South Korea’s trade minister drops bid to become WTO chief

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s top trade official is dropping her bid to become the next director-general of the World Trade Organization, making it likely the job will go to former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said its minister for trade, Yoo Myung-hee, plans to tell the WTO she will withdraw her candidacy. Last October, the WTO announced Yoo and Okonjo-Iweala were the two finalists to become its next director-general, ensuring a woman will be in the top job for the first time.