한국국제교류재단

On January 26th, Mexico and Korea celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. This was a significant milestone for both countries because in the last four decades Mexico and Korea have strengthened their friendship through economic, cultural, and scientific exchanges.

The first Mexican presence on the Korean peninsula can be traced back to 1962 when Mexicans from the Guadalupe Missionary Order came to this country in their quest for evangelization. On November 27th, 1962 the first two Mexican missionaries arrived in Busan, and more priests followed in the subsequent years.

The first presence of Korean culture in Mexico came with the arrival on May 15, 1905 of 1031 Koreans hired as laborers at Henequn farms in Yucatan (Southwest of Mexico). By the end of the 1950s, it was believed that around 100 of the original immigrants were still alive and that they had over 1,000 descendants throughout the country.

With the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, these two countries, both replete with a rich cultural heritage, rapidly began to increase their exchanges. For example, in the area of sport, the arrival of Professor Moon Dai-won in Mexico at the end of the 1960s was instrumental in the dissemination of schools of Taegwondo throughout the country.

One of the first actions both governments undertook when establishing diplomatic relations was the signing of a Cultural Cooperation Agreement. Within the framework of this agreement, cultural and educational relations have seen a dramatic increase. Today it is common in both countries to see art exhibitions, film festivals, and artistic performances, among other events.

Notable was the establishment of a Korean gallrey in Mexico's National Museum of Cultures in November 2000; an example of the permanent presence of Korean culture in Mexico. The exhibition of Mexican Contem-porary Art, inaugurated by President Vicente Fox at Artsonje Center in June 2001, represented the first time that such a mosaic of the young and vibrant Mexican contemporary scene could be appreciated in Asia.

In the era of education, thanks to the scholarships offered by both governments, a considerable number of Koreans have gone to Mexico to study Spanish, Latin American Literature and Archeology. Many Mexican students also come to Korea to study economic development, culture and traditions of Korea.
Mexico's rich cultural heritage with its unique cultural identity is widely introduced in Korea. Thanks to the growing popularity of Mexican music and food, especially among the younger generation, Koreans are developing a better understanding of the country.

Closer cooperative economic relations have developed since 1996 when the two countries signed a trade agreement. There has been an increasingly active presence of Korean enterprises in Mexico ever since, especially in the last twenty years. An important element in the growth of Korean companies and visitors in Mexico has been the liberalization of its economy and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Currently, Korea is Mexico's fifth largest trading partner and the second biggest investor in Mexico from the Pacific Rim.

Political exchanges between the two countries have expanded. In the last ten years two Korean presidents have visited Mexico, while two Mexican heads of state have come to Korea. The most recent visit of H.E. President Vicente Fox in June 2001 helped consolidate the political, economic and scientific ties with the purpose of establishing a strategic partnership in the 21st Century.

In world affairs, Mexico and Korea share their interests, actively participating in multilateral organizations to contribute to a more just, democratic and peaceful world. The election of Korea for the Presidency of the United Nations General Assembly and the election of Mexico to a non-permanent seat at the Security Council are the proof of their active participation in promoting world peace.

Although forty years may not seem like much, it is important to point out that during this period Mexico and Korea have developed to become modern, democratic and industrialized countries, overcoming many economic crises. The 40 years of amicable relations between the two culturally rich countries demonstrates that physical distance between countries does not need to be a barrier to mutual cooperation and friendship.