UNJournal Lee Jon Young | On December 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin had a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, who was on a visit to Korea from December 7 to 10. In the meeting, the two sides discussed Korea-Mexico relations, substantive cooperation and cooperation on the international stage.

The Korea-Mexico Foreign Ministers’ meeting came merely about one month after the one held on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco on November 15. Foreign Minister Bárcena was visiting Korea for consultations with the Korean government and companies for an early securement of emergency recovery supplies in the wake of Hurricane Otis that hit Acapulco, Mexico, in late October.

Foreign Minister Park once again extended consolation over the damage from the hurricane. Citing the Mexican proverb that “Desgracia compartida, menos sentida (Two in distress makes sorrow less),” the Foreign Minister stated that Korea will cooperate closely for Mexico’s prompt securement of recovery supplies. Foreign Minister Bárcena responded by conveying deep appreciation.

Foreign Minister Park brought attention to the fact that Mexico, with which Korea marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, is the first Latin American country with which Korea has forged strategic partnership. He went on to note with appreciation that close cooperative ties between the two countries are continuing to develop on the basis of their long-standing friendship demonstrated by many young Mexicans having joined efforts to safeguard liberal democracy of Korea during the Korean War, among others.

In particular, Foreign Minister Park, citing the trade volume between Korea and Mexico -- the former’s largest trading partner and second-largest investment destination in Latin America -- that exceeded US$20 billion last year for the first time, looked forward to closer cooperation in trade and investment with Mexico, a key beneficiary of global nearshoring. 

He added that, to that end, it is important to resume Korea-Mexico FTA negotiations as well as those for Korea’s accession to the Pacific Alliance (PA) as an associated state, asking for Foreign Minister Bárcena’s keen attention and cooperation in that regard. Foreign Minister Bárcena responded that utmost efforts will be made to resume Korea-Mexico FTA negotiations and to facilitate Korea’s accession to the PA as an associated state.  

On the heels of their meeting, the two Foreign Ministers had a Korean-style luncheon, over which they had a candid conversation on political and social affairs, economy, culture, and various other areas -- Korea-Mexico defense cooperation, including honorable treatment of the U.S. Korean War veterans of Mexican origin; the potential for Korea-Mexico economic cooperation amid the nearshoring trend; women’s participation in political and economic affairs in Mexico; and the popularity of Hallyu (Korean Wave) in Mexico and Koreans’ interest in rich Mexican culture. By doing so, the two sides further enhanced the Korea-Mexico friendship.