WT/MIN(17)/ST/16  
 
13 December 2017  
(17-6893) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY MR. KIM YOUNG  SAM 
DEPUTY MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT  
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 
Let me first extend my deep gratitude to President Macri, the government and the people of 
Argentina for hosting the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference and providing their kind hospitality.  
 
The WTO has played a crucial role in helping many Members trade their way out of poverty and 
pursue economic growth and development.  Despite its remarkable ach ievements, however, the 
WTO and multilateral trading system are today facing challenges of a nature and magnitude never 
seen before.  
 
While the recent WTO trade monitoring report has shown a marked reduction in the number of 
new trade -restrictive measures,  we also observe abuses of trade remedy, TBT and SPS measures 
for protectionist purposes. Moreover, the WTO’s legislative function is in a continued deadlock, 
unable to reconcile divergent interests and sensitivities of Members.  In order for the WTO to 
overcome such challenges, it needs to identify a modus operandi that works in today’s global 
environment.  
 
First, the negotiating approach and agenda of the WTO need to adapt to a changing world.  It is no 
longer feasible for the WTO to reach a one -size-fits-all agreement among 164 Members at once. It 
would be more sensible to take a practical and multi -layered approach of seeking incremental 
progress.  
 
In certain areas, swifter progress can be made through plurilateral negotiations, as seen in the ITA 
expansio n two years ago. The TFA (Trade Facilitation Agreement) approach of allowing different 
implementation periods based on each Member's circumstances could be replicated in other 
multilateral negotiations.  
 
On top of that, the WTO needs to embrace emerging is sues to keep abreast of the changing global 
economy including the digital revolution. Otherwise, the WTO will lose its relevance and see these 
important issues be addressed and decided elsewhere.  In this regard, while continuing our efforts 
to advance outs tanding areas including agriculture, fisheries subsidies, services and NAMA, we 
look forward to having fruitful discussions on emerging issues such as e -commerce, MSMEs and 
investment facilitation to give a clear direction on the way forward.  
 
Second, the WTO has to contribute more to inclusive trade.  Our endeavours so far have been 
largely focused on trade liberalization. Consequently, we could neither successfully counter 
growing antitrade sentiments nor garner support for our work from those people and M embers 
who have not felt a fair share of the benefits from trade.  The WTO needs to pay more attention to 
discussions on safety net measures such as Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) schemes. At the 
same time, scaling up Aid for Trade to bolster supply -side capacity will help developing and least -
developed country Members make the most of their integration into the global trading system.  
 
Lastly, in this turbulent time for the multilateral trading system, it is all the more important for the 
WTO to preserve and improve its dispute settlement function.  WTO Members should promptly fill 
all the vacancies of the Appellate Body while continuing to work on improving the dispute 
settlement process to make it more efficient.  
 WT/MIN(17)/ST/16  
 
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  Winston Churchill said "Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it." Confronting a head wind, 
I hope this Conference in Buenos Aires will serve as a meaningful stepping stone to a stronger 
WTO responsive to the needs of all Members and their people.  Thank you.  
 
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