SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - SEOUL, Sept. 12 — Mexico and South Korea looked toward deeper cooperation in trade, investment, and cultural exchange at a reception marking the 215th anniversary of Mexico's independence, held Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel in central Seoul.
Around 300 diplomats, scholars, business figures, and special guests attended the celebration. Mexican Ambassador Carlos Peñafiel Soto and South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo both stressed the importance of building on the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
"Beyond economic or commercial relations, the ties between our nations are built by our peoples: businesspersons, students, professors, families, and tourists," Ambassador Peñafiel said. "In 2025, we commemorate the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean migrants to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The Embassy is committed to continuing to promote even more exchanges to strengthen our bonds."
The ambassador also pointed to recent high-level contacts between the two governments. "Mexico is seeking to diversify its markets and strengthen cooperation with international partners on a respectful and mutually beneficial basis," he said, noting the meeting between President Claudia Sheinbaum and President Lee Jae-myung at the G7 summit in June.
The evening included a traditional Grito de Independencia ceremony, the symbolic reenactment of Mexico’s historic cry for independence. Guests dressed in traditional clothes carried the Mexican flag onto the stage and presented it to the ambassador, who held it high while shouting patriotic phrases in Spanish. Attendees responded by raising their right hands across their chests, echoing the call of "¡Viva México!" that marked the start of Mexico’s independence movement in 1810.
Minister Yeo, attending as the guest of honor, focused on the need to revive stalled free trade agreement (FTA) talks between South Korea and Mexico. He recalled that previous efforts had not succeeded, despite repeated attempts.
"In 2015, when I was director general, I accompanied the Korean president on her visit to Mexico, and the two countries agreed to launch a free trade agreement, but it didn't materialize," Yeo said. "Again in 2022, as trade minister, I flew to Mexico and agreed with the economy minister to start negotiations, but that also did not move forward. As a trade specialist, I didn't do my homework. We need to restart free trade agreement negotiations and build a stronger partnership between Korea and Mexico."
Yeo also underlined the scope of South Korean investment in Mexico. "Almost 500 Korean companies have invested in Mexico, including Samsung Electronics, LG, Kia, and POSCO," he said. "We have great potential to develop our mutual trade and investment, and I believe we can do much better."
In lighter remarks, the minister noted the growing popularity of Mexican food and drink in South Korea, saying tequila consumption had doubled in recent years. "More and more Korean people enjoy Mexican food, but the best tacos in the world are bulgogi tacos," he said to laughter. He also mentioned that K-pop content is breaking records in Mexico, pointing to its role in cultural exchange between the two countries.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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