▲ Mexican Ambassador Carlos Penafiel speaks during an event marking the 216th anniversary of Mexico's Independence Day held in Seoul on Sept. 10, 2026. (Yonhap)
▲ This handout file photo made available by BigHit Music and released by EPA shows members of South Korea's K-pop group BTS posing for a photo with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum (4th from R) at the presidential office in Mexico City on May 6, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (R) poses for a photo with his Mexican counterpart, Roberto Velasco, during their talks in Seoul on Aug. 24, 2026, in this file photo released by the South Korean foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

By Oh Seok-min

SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) -- Mexico's ambassador to South Korea on Thursday highlighted the two countries' deeply integrated economic ties and cooperation in advanced industries, while South Korea's trade minister called for the resumption of talks on a bilateral free trade deal.

"With the presence of more than 2,000 Korean companies in Mexico, our economies are deeply integrated into the supply chains shaping the future of North America," Mexican Ambassador Carlos Penafiel said at an event in Seoul marking the 216th anniversary of Mexico's Independence Day.

"Beyond economic and commercial strength, our cooperation looks to the future: We collaborate in space research, clean energy, artificial intelligence and advanced industries," he added.

The ambassador also stressed the importance of a strong bond of friendship between the two nations based on a shared "commitment to peace, international law, multilateralism and respect for human rights" at a time when "no nation can face today's challenges alone."

Mexico is South Korea's leading trading and investment partner in Latin America, while Korea ranks among Mexico's five largest trading partners worldwide.

Penafiel also pointed to growing people-to-people ties, noting that K-pop and other Korean cultural content have gained widespread popularity among young Mexicans.

Noting active high-level exchanges between the two nations, the ambassador said President Lee Jae Myung's acceptance of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's invitation to visit Mexico "would further strengthen bilateral ties" and would be "excellent news for Korean companies operating in Mexico."

Lee is expected to visit Mexico in the near future.

South Korean Trade Minister Park Jung-sung delivered a congratulatory message, describing Mexico as "a vital strategic partner connecting Korea to North America" and calling for the swift resumption of negotiations to forge a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).

"Despite this strong economic bond, the two countries do not have a bilateral trade agreement in place. Given our complementary trade structures, I believe a trade agreement would serve as a solid institutional foundation for strengthening our close economic partnership," Park said.

"I sincerely hope our discussions will resume as soon as possible to establish a stable trade network between the two countries," he added.

The two countries launched FTA negotiations in 2007, but the talks have remained stalled since 2008 amid opposition from some Mexican industries and other issues. Despite a 2022 agreement to resume negotiations, no formal talks have been held.

During an interview with Yonhap News Agency in August, Mexican Foreign Secretary Roberto Velasco Alvarez said Mexico is committed to continuing long-stalled FTA talks with South Korea, stressing the importance of bilateral trade and economic relations.

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