South Korea will strengthen its relationship with Mexico

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is planning a visit to Mexico to strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, industry, aerospace, and culture.

Lee will arrive in Mexico City to hold a summit with President Claudia Sheinbaum, after which the leaders will hold a joint press conference and oversee the signing of a memorandum of understanding, according to President Lee’s office.

Mexico is South Korea’s primary market for K-pop, and Seoul has expressed interest in exploring opportunities to expand defense cooperation as Mexico has modernized its armed forces.

The summit aims to expand bilateral trade and investment, strengthen supply chains, and advance cooperation in artificial intelligence, digitalization, the aerospace industry, and defense, according to information shared by South Korean National Security Advisor Wi Sung-Iac.

Wi noted that 560 South Korean companies are already operating in Mexico, a figure that has positioned the country as South Korea’s leading trading partner in Latin America.

South Korea also hopes to diversify its energy supply in light of the disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East. As a result, Mexico—with its reserves of crude oil and energy minerals—is becoming a potential partner in this diversification effort.

During the summit, both governments will discuss mechanisms for cooperation on energy and supply chains for critical minerals, according to information released by the office of South Korea’s National Security Advisor.