Lee calls for resumption of FTA negotiations with Mexico to elevate economic cooperation

Lee Jae Myung called for a swift resumption of South Korea-Mexico FTA negotiations in Mexico City on Friday during a Korea-Mexico business forum. He said the deal would strengthen bilateral economic cooperation as trade and business ties are already significant. Lee also urged broader cooperation in future industries, energy and culture.

Lee said bilateral trade reached $20.6 billion last year, making Mexico South Korea’s largest trading partner in Central and South America and Korea Mexico’s fifth-largest trading partner.

Korea and Mexico launched FTA talks in 2006, but the negotiations have stalled and have not resumed yet.

Lee and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed one day earlier on a comprehensive action plan to boost cooperation in advanced industries including artificial intelligence, defense and aerospace.

Lee described Mexico as a main axis of North American supply chains and a global manufacturing hub for automobiles, electronics and aerospace.

Published Sep 26, 2026 8:03 am KST

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a South Korea-Mexico business forum in Mexico City, Sept. 25. Yonhap

MEXICO CITY — Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday called for a swift resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and Mexico, saying it will further elevate bilateral economic cooperation that he said is already contributing significantly to the Mexican economy and job creation.

The president made the call during a Korea-Mexico business forum in Mexico City, where he is currently on a state visit.

"Mexico is South Korea's largest trading partner in Central and South America. For Mexico, Korea is the fifth-largest trading partner with bilateral trade reaching $20.6 billion last year," the president pointed out.

"Despite this brilliant outcome, the two economies have yet to have a comprehensive trade agreement," the president noted.

The president stressed that amid growing uncertainties in the global trade environment, there is a need to strengthen the institutional framework to help companies pursue business opportunities with greater certainty.

"Given the mutually complementary structures of the two economies, a trade agreement between Korea and Mexico will certainly become a solid foundation for elevating bilateral economic cooperation to a higher level," Lee told the meeting, attended by top business leaders from both Korea and Mexico.

Friday's event came one day after Lee and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to a comprehensive action plan designed to boost their countries' bilateral cooperation in advanced industries, including the artificial intelligence (AI), defense and aerospace sectors, among others.

Korea and Mexico launched FTA talks in 2006, but negotiations have since stalled. Lee and Sheinbaum earlier agreed on the need to restart negotiations, but the countries have yet to do so.

Lee, in particular, stressed the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and supply chains for advanced industries, calling Mexico "a main axis" of North American supply chains and a global manufacturing hub for automobiles, electronics, aerospace and other advanced industries.

"The exceptional manufacturing capabilities of Mexico and its access to the North American market, as well as Korea's proven technology, innovative capabilities and industrial competitiveness, will provide broader and more prosperous opportunities for growth for both countries," Lee said.

The president also called on the countries to expand their cooperation into future industries and the energy sector while stepping up exchanges and collaboration in the cultural industry.

Referring to the countries' six-decades-old diplomatic relations, the Korean president called for the "opening of a new six decades for mutual prosperity."

President Lee Jae Myung, center, and first lady Kim Hea Kyung, left, sample instant noodles at an exhibition showcasing Korean products in Mexico City, Sept. 25. Yonhap

Later in the day, Lee, accompanied by first lady Kim Hea Kyung, visited an exhibition in Mexico City showcasing Korean products.

Lee toured booths operated by several Korean companies, including beauty giant Amorepacific, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Nongshim, tasting instant noodles and taking selfies with exhibition visitors.

周五，在墨西哥城举行的韩墨商业论坛上，李在明呼吁尽快重启韩墨自由贸易协定谈判。他表示，鉴于韩墨两国贸易和商业联系已十分紧密，该协定将加强双边经济合作。李在明还敦促双方在未来产业、能源和文化领域开展更广泛的合作。

李表示，去年双边贸易额达到206亿美元，墨西哥成为韩国在中南美洲最大的贸易伙伴，而韩国则是墨西哥的第五大贸易伙伴。

韩国和墨西哥于2006年启动了自由贸易协定谈判，但谈判陷入停滞，至今尚未恢复。

李和墨西哥总统克劳迪娅·欣鲍姆前一天就一项全面行动计划达成一致，旨在加强在人工智能、国防和航空航天等先进产业领域的合作。

李将墨西哥描述为北美供应链的主要轴心，以及汽车、电子产品和航空航天领域的全球制造中心。

发布于2026年9月26日上午8:03（韩国标准时间）

9月25日，韩国总统李在明在墨西哥城出席韩墨商业论坛并发表讲话。（韩联社）

墨西哥城——韩国总统李在明周五呼吁迅速恢复韩国和墨西哥之间的自由贸易协定（FTA）谈判，称这将进一步提升双边经济合作，而他表示，双边经济合作已经为墨西哥经济和就业创造做出了重大贡献。

总统是在墨西哥城举行的韩墨商业论坛上发出这一呼吁的，他目前正在墨西哥进行国事访问。

总统指出：“墨西哥是韩国在中美洲和南美洲最大的贸易伙伴。而韩国是墨西哥第五大贸易伙伴，去年双边贸易额达到206亿美元。”

“尽管取得了如此辉煌的成果，但两国经济尚未达成全面的贸易协定，”总统指出。

总统强调，在全球贸易环境不确定性日益加剧的背景下，有必要加强制度框架，以帮助企业更有把握地寻求商机。

李在会上表示：“鉴于韩墨两国经济结构互补，韩墨贸易协定必将成为提升双边经济合作水平的坚实基础。”出席会议的有韩国和墨西哥的顶尖商界领袖。

周五的活动是在李和墨西哥总统克劳迪娅·欣鲍姆同意一项旨在加强两国在先进产业（包括人工智能、国防和航空航天领域等）双边合作的全面行动计划的第二天举行的。

韩国和墨西哥于2006年启动自由贸易协定谈判，但此后谈判陷入停滞。李和申鲍姆此前都同意有必要重启谈判，但两国至今尚未采取行动。

李特别强调需要加强双边在先进产业贸易和供应链方面的合作，称墨西哥是北美供应链的“主要轴心”，也是汽车、电子、航空航天和其他先进产业的全球制造中心。

李表示：“墨西哥卓越的制造业能力及其进入北美市场的渠道，以及韩国成熟的技术、创新能力和产业竞争力，将为两国提供更广泛、更繁荣的增长机会。”

总统还呼吁各国扩大在未来产业和能源领域的合作，同时加强在文化产业的交流与合作。

韩国总统在谈到两国长达六十年的外交关系时，呼吁“开启共同繁荣的新六十年”。

9月25日，韩国总统李在明（中）和夫人金喜京（左）在墨西哥城出席韩国产品展览会并品尝方便面。（韩联社）

当天晚些时候，李明博在第一夫人金喜京的陪同下参观了在墨西哥城举办的韩国产品展览会。

李参观了包括美妆巨头爱茉莉太平洋、三星电子、LG电子和农心在内的几家韩国公司的展位，品尝了方便面，并与参观者自拍。