(Mexico City = Yonhap News) Reporter Lim Hyeong-seop and Seol Seung-eun = President Lee Jae-myung, who was on a state visit to Mexico, said on the 23rd (local time), "If Mexico's world-class automobile industry base and supply chain and Korea's battery and electric vehicle parts competitiveness are combined, great synergy will be created and opportunities to expand cooperation will arise."
In an interview with Mexican daily newspaper El Universal published on this day, a day before the Korea-Mexico summit, President Lee said, "There is great room for cooperation between the two countries in the strategic industries that the Mexican government is pursuing, and we are paying particular attention to the electric vehicle field."
Meanwhile, President Lee cited Kia Motors' recent large-scale investment in an electric vehicle production plant in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, as an example of cooperation between the two countries.
President Lee repeatedly emphasized, "For Korean companies, Mexico is more than just a production base; it is a key strategic base for entering the North American and global markets. If we combine Korea's technological and manufacturing capabilities with Mexico's talent and industrial base, the two countries will be able to grow together."
He continued, “Approximately 500 Korean companies have contributed to the development of Mexico by investing approximately $13.3 billion in Mexico, creating 150,000 jobs,” and added, “We hope that Korean companies will continue to participate in Mexico’s growth and contribute to the common prosperity of both countries through investment and contribution to the local community.”
President Lee also said, “Mexico is a key axis connecting the North American and Latin American economies based on its solid manufacturing base and abundant human resources,” and added, “It is time to establish an institutional framework befitting solid economic cooperation.”
At the same time, he said that it is necessary to ▲ resume negotiations on the Korea-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (FTA) ▲ promote the conclusion of a social security agreement ▲ strengthen investment protection mechanisms, and “we will be able to build a more sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership.”
Regarding the defense industry, he also explained, "In the Mexican Air Force fighter jet modernization project, Korea's FA-50 will be able to lay the foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation based on its outstanding performance and price competitiveness."
In addition, the need for joint pilot projects related to artificial intelligence (AI), expansion of technological cooperation, and strengthening cooperation to respond to transnational crimes such as online fraud, human trafficking, and drug trafficking was also emphasized.
President Lee also explained the need for cultural cooperation, saying, "Mexico and Korea are separated by more than 10,000 kilometers across the Pacific, but culture has contributed to bringing the people of the two countries closer together."
President Lee mentioned that BTS met with President Claudia Sheinbaum last May and received a commemorative plaque from the Mexican government, and commented, "It is a scene that symbolizes the heat and friendship of cultural exchange between the two countries."
At the same time, the two countries decided to promote joint production of cultural content and arts, establishment of a professional manpower training mechanism, and establishment of the 'K Culture Center', a space for experiencing Korean culture.
In addition, regarding the leadership of President Sheinbaum, the first female Mexican president, she said, "His high interest in promoting women's human rights and his vision for the country's future resonate deeply with many women not only in Korea but around the world."
He added, "Communicating directly with the people every morning and traveling around the country every weekend to listen to voices from the field shows a sincere will to always be close to the people," adding, "The high approval rating for government administration that has continued since taking office is the result of these communication actions strengthening public trust."
