The Mexican Embassy in Seoul, which celebrated Mexico's 213th anniversary of independence, held a commemorative reception at the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun on the 12th. The reception was attended by about 500 diplomatic envoys to Korea and officials from local companies with trade relations with Mexico to celebrate the day of independence.
"Korea and Mexico have been in a strong alliance for the past 61 years, "Carlos Peña Piel Soto said in a greeting, adding that economic cooperation was active, with the two countries trading about $30 billion last year without a trade agreement.
Soto added, "It's all the more meaningful because it's my first anniversary since taking office," and that his country's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has continued his efforts to fight poverty, protect the vulnerable and grow macroeconomically since taking office.
He said that Korean companies such as Samsung Engineering, Hyundai Motor, POSCO AmorePacific OB Beer, and Hana Financial Group are currently investing, making Korea a major investor in Mexico.
He added, "From now on, the two countries will share their positions and opinions on the international stage and keep pace with the importance of multilateralism, which advocates human rights."
Meanwhile, Kang Jae-kwon, economic and diplomatic coordinator of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "Korea and Mexico share their past experiences of oppression and the history of liberation. After independence, Mexico has become one of Latin America's top 10 liberal economies."
Coordinator Kang said, "Mexico provided humanitarian aid to Korea during the Korean War in 1950, and I would like to express my gratitude to young Mexicans for their easy fighting in this war."
It also said that the two countries have been closely cooperating on the international stage as G20 countries since 2008 and as global mid-sized countries since 2013.
I hope to move forward with a better future through FT negotiations between Korea and Mexico in the future."
Mexico is also the largest trading country in Latin America.
The following is a speech:
Remarks by Ambassador Carlos Peñafiel Soto, Ambassador of Mexico to Korea
Ladies and gentleman
Mexico and Korea have built strong ties over the past six decades, but the first contact between our peoples was more than a hundred years ago. The arrival of Korean immigrants to Yucatan is engraved in the narrative of our bilateral relations. This is also true for the thousands of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans who fought as part of the US Army in the Korean War.
Their bravery and sacrifice have finally been duly acknowledged. As we enter a new cycle in our relations, we aim to shape a relation anchored in our millenary cultures but future- oriented, to meet the challenges of a fast-changing world.
After spending 7 months in Korea, I firmly believe that the most important factor in our relationship is our people - the hundreds of students, professors, businesspersons, families and tourists. The promotion of mutual knowledge is key to continue fostering a better understanding between our societies. I would like to thank all our partners, sponsors and friends for their support, as well as to acknowledge the tireless efforts of all the Embassy staff in building a stronger partnership.
But it is our economic ties which are the backbone of our partnership. The absence notwithstanding, our bilateral trade reached $30 billion US of a trade dollars in 2022 and more than 2,000 companies registered with agreement Korean capital are established in Mexico.
In the past three years, Korea has leaped from the sixth to the third place of Mexico's largest global trading partners, surpassing more traditional ones in North America and Europe.
Likewise, Korea has become one of largest foreign investors in Mexico, largely due to changes in global supply chains under the trend known as nearshoring, thanks to my country's geographical location and other comparative advantages.
More Korean companies recognize the great business opportunities that Mexico offers, including those that generously supported today's event, such as Hana Financial Group, Samsung Engineering, Hyundai Motors, POSCO, Yulchon, Amore Pacific, KOMIR, OB Beer, FJ, Sueño Spirits, and Jarritos, among others, to which I express my most sincere appreciation.
Beyond our bilateral ties, Mexico and the Republic of Korea share numerous positions and coincidences in the international and regional landscapes: the value of multilateralism, the maintenance of peace, sustainable development, the fight against climate change, the promotion of free and safe trade, and the protection of human rights.
Our governments maintain a solid engagement in various for a, such as the UN, the G20, APEC and, specially, MIKTA.
Kang Hae-Kwon Economic and Diplomatic Coordinator
Ambassador Carlos Peñafiel Soto, Dear members of the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Happy Independence Day of Mexico! It is an honor to be present at this relevant event to celebrate the 213th Anniversary of Independence Day of Mexico. I would like to express my most sincere congratulations to the government and people of Mexico on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Korea. The "Grito de Dolores" began on September 16, 1810 demanding the independence of Mexico and Father Miguel Hidalgo, evaluated as the father of the country's time.
independence, was a figure who chose resistance in the face of inequality and poverty due to the colonial policies of his I take this opportunity to express a sincere tribute to the brave and just decision of Father Hidalgo and to the glorious history of Mexico. The Republic of Korea also suffered from a colonial period. It shares with Mexico a history of fighting for independence and liberation against oppression
Since its independence, Mexico has become a global middle- income country that represents Latin America politically, economically, and culturally. Korea has also become one of the top ten economic and soft power countries in the world. Exchanges between both countries date back to the history of Korean immigrants who arrived in Mexico in 1905.
Likewise, during the Korean War in 1950, Mexico provided desperately needed humanitarian aid to the Republic of Korea and numerous young Mexicans fought bravely to defend freedom. My most sincere thanks for your sacrifice and dedication.
The Republic of Korea and Mexico developed their bilateral ties consistently for 61 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962. Last year, they celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties by holding various events. Particularly, both countries maintain a "Strategic Partnership for Mutual Prosperity", established in 2005, through cooperation in various fields. Likewise, they have been key participants in the G20 since 2008 and since 2013 they have collaborated closely on the international and multilateral stage as members of MIKTA, a group of medium-sized countries.
Mexico is our largest trading partner in Latin America, with an annual trade volume between both countries that reached $21.3 billion in 2022. In addition, more than 430 Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics, Kia Motors, LG Electronics, among others, have established in Mexico and are contributing to development, as well as job creation.
economic and community I hope that through this reciprocal cooperation, both nations will move together towards a better future. In particular, I hope that the Korea-Mexico Free Trade Agreement negotiations will be resumed so that bilateral exchange and cooperation can develop further. Once again, I would like to express my most sincere congratulations on the 213th anniversary of Mexico's independence, as well as my wishes for the prosperity of Mexico and eternal friendship between both countries. Let's go together! Thank you