The secretariat of the World Economic Forum has canceled press accreditation for South Korean reporters, a decision apparently spurred by the sudden change of the South Korean chief representative just three days before the global conference.

The WEF secretariat notified the South Korean mission in Geneva that all press passes have been canceled, including the two passes given to the government entourage for access to the main conference room.

South Korean Finance and Economy Minister, Jin Nyum suddenly announced Tuesday he would not be going to the WEF's Davos conference without going into detailed reasons.

South Korea decided to dispatch Minister for Trade Han Duck-soo
instead. The Seoul government had changed its chief representative once before after senior presidential secretary for economic affairs
Lee Ki-ho decided not to go.

WEF secretariat officials said their decision on press pass cancellations came after a long deliberation, adding that the unexpected change of top delegate has caused much discomfort to
many.