The Mexican Embassy in Seoul marked its 207th anniversary of independence Friday, also celebrating thriving ties with Korea in commerce, security and everything in between over the last six decades.

“Both countries celebrate 55 years of bilateral relations this year, and we have always stayed close in a changing and challenging world,” Mexican Ambassador to Korea Bruno Figueroa said in a speech at Millennium Seoul Hilton.

“Our political dialogue continues fruitfully, and we work closely through MIKTA (an informal diplomatic alliance of middle powers Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia), G-20, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the United Nations.”

The two countries defend free trade around the world and share the same views on curbing climate change, enhancing human rights, promoting sustainable development and bolstering international security, he added. 


Since Mexico and Korea established their strategic partnership in 2005, the economic relationship has increased markedly, he said, with bilateral trade equaling Mexico’s trade with Germany, roughly $13.4 billion a year. Mexico is Korea’s top trade partner in Latin America, while Korea is Mexico’s sixth-largest trade partner worldwide.

Over 1,600 Korean companies operate in the Mexican market of $1.5 trillion, increasingly in innovative projects, the envoy highlighted. Kia Motors opened a new production facility in Mexico in September last year, and the first Mexican industrial investment transpired in the city of Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, with the launch of a steel dust recycling plant in June.

Since July, a new direct flight connecting Mexico City and Seoul has also begun.

Ambassador Lee Jeong-kyu, Korea’s deputy foreign minister for political affairs, expressed his condolence for the loss of lives and property in the recent violent earthquake and hurricane in Mexico on Sept. 7.

Turning to North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations, Lee said the Mexican government has always taken a consistent stance against the dangerous brinksmanship, strongly condemning Pyongyang’s sixth nuclear test on Sept. 2 and expelling the North Korean ambassador in response.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)