Visiting South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung and his Mexican counterpart, President Claudia Sheinbaum, agreed Thursday to deepen their bilateral relationship through a new roadmap focused on economic and financial cooperation, trade and technology.

In a joint press conference at Mexico City’s National Palace, the two presidents announced the signing of 17 agreements that included expanded cooperation in artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy, defense and supply chains.

Lee’s visit took place as Mexico seeks to diversify its economic relations amid international trade tensions and negotiations with the United States, its main partner, and as it promotes Sheinbaum’s Plan México to attract investment and increase national production.

During the press conference, Sheinbaum highlighted that bilateral trade reached US $27 billion in 2025, pointing out that South Korea is one of Mexico’s top five trading partners worldwide, while Mexico is the Asian nation’s main partner in Latin America.

“The goal of greater complementary economic cooperation between our countries will generate shared prosperity and benefits for our people,” Sheinbaum said, adding that South Korean investment since 2006 topped US $11.5 billion.

Lee — the first South Korean leader to visit Mexico since 2010 — said both countries agreed to finalize the review of their reciprocal investment promotion and protection agreement, in order to strengthen economic ties.

“Mexico, the world’s 10th-largest economy and a hub of the global supply chain, is a highly important strategic partner for Korea,” Lee said.

The agreements signed range from economic and financial cooperation, to science and technology, as well as agriculture, security, intellectual property, culture, tourism and academic exchange. 

Sheinbaum and Lee committed to promoting trade and investment and facilitating the integration of Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises into the supply chains of South Korean companies operating in Mexico.

Both governments also adopted a Mexico-Korea Action Plan 2026-2030 and will seek to complete the review of the agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments “in the short term … in order to facilitate trade.”

Lee also announced talks to create a US $100 million credit scheme to facilitate Mexican companies’ acquisition of goods and services from Korean companies and to support South Korean firms operating in Mexico.

Yes, K-pop was on the agenda

At the same time, the two countries agreed to expand their cultural and educational exchanges, including the possibility of establishing a K-pop culture center in Mexico and a Mexican cultural institute in South Korea.

On that topic, Sheinbaum announced that K-pop superstars BTS will return to Mexico next year, adding that Stray Kids (a popular South Korean boy band) was to perform at Mexico City’s Estadio GNP Seguros on Friday.

Although BTS has not officially confirmed a return visit to Mexico, Sheinbaum said the group had accepted her proposal during their visit to the National Palace in May.

With reports from EFE, El Universal and Billboard