1. The government of the Republic of Korea has decided to send Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha as special envoy to the inauguration ceremony of new President of the United Mexican States Andrés Manuel López Obrador slated for December 1.

2. Mexico is one of the ROK’s closest friends, as can be seen from the fact that it is the first Latin American country the ROK has forged "strategic partnership" with (2005). The two countries are maintaing their cooperative ties at the best level across the board, including political affairs, economy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

° Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1962, the two countries have actively engaged in high-level exchanges -- 11 visits by the Presidents to each other’s countries and 13 summits.

° Mexico is the ROK’s top trade partner in Latin America and Korean companies’ strategic hub for exports to the United States and the entry into Latin America and the Caribbean. Some 400 Korean companies, including Kia Motors and the Samsung Group, have invested in the country.

° Mexico is also a Hallyu (Korean Wave) hub, where some 160,000 people have joined Hallyu fan clubs and through which Hallyu is spreading in Latin America and the Caribbean.

3. Minister Kang will pay a courtesy call on new President Obrador and hand over to him President Moon Jae-in’s letter, in which he will have expressed hope for closer ROK-Mexico relations.

4. Minister Kang will also hold a meeting and exchange views with new Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard on how the two countries can work together in a future-oriented way after the launch of the new Mexican government.

5. Prior to her visit to Mexico, Minister Kang will make an official visit to the Republic of Panama, where she will pay a courtesy call on President Juan Carlos Varela Rodgriguez and hold a meeting with Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Isabel de Saint Malo for a discussion on ROK-Panama issues and ways to promote the friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries.

° Panama is an emerging country that has seen the highest economic growth in the region (an annual average of 8.4% over the last 10 years). The ROK and Panama are working closely together in marine transport and logistics through the Panama Canal.

* unofficial translation