President Lee Arrives in Mexico... Embarks on First State Visit in 16 Years

Summit Talks with President Sheinbaum
Discussions on Trade, Supply Chains, AI, and Defense Cooperation
Arrival in Mexico City after Concluding UN General Assembly in New York
Attendance at Business Forum and K-Expo

President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Mexico City on the 23rd (local time) to begin his state visit after concluding his schedule at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. This marks the first state visit to Mexico by a South Korean president in 16 years.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who are on a state visit to Mexico, are greeting the welcome party aboard Air Force One upon their arrival at Felipe Angeles International Airport in Mexico City on the 23rd (local time). 2026.9.24 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap

President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung landed at Felipe Angeles International Airport in Mexico City at approximately 7:34 p.m. on the same day. President Lee wore a dark gray suit with a red, blue, and beige striped tie, while First Lady Kim was dressed in a light ivory skirt suit.

At the airport, they were welcomed by Roberto Velasco, Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, María Teresa Mercado, Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jonathan Chait Auerbach, Chief of Protocol, and Carlos Penafiel, Mexican Ambassador to South Korea.

As the presidential couple descended the aircraft stairs, a Mexican honor guard lined up on both sides of the red carpet rendered honors. President Lee shook hands in turn with the welcoming officials, engaging in brief conversations, and First Lady Kim followed with greetings. The couple then walked between the honor guard and boarded the protocol vehicle that was waiting for them.

This state visit was made at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. On the 24th, President Lee will begin his official schedule by laying a wreath at the Monument to the Heroic Cadets in Chapultepec Park. He will then attend the official welcome ceremony at the National Palace, followed by a one-on-one and expanded summit meeting with President Sheinbaum. After the meetings, the two leaders are also scheduled to witness a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing, attend a luncheon, and make a joint press announcement.

The summit is expected to cover a wide range of cooperation topics, including expanding bilateral trade and investment, collaboration on supply chains, and partnerships in cutting-edge industries such as energy, artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace, and defense. Ways to boost cultural exchange with Mexico, which is emerging as a major market for K-pop and other K-content, are also likely to be discussed.

On the 25th, President Lee will attend a business forum with business leaders from both countries to discuss expanding economic cooperation, as well as visit the K-Expo venue. He will depart for Korea on the 26th.

Before visiting Mexico, President Lee delivered a keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and held summit meetings with the leaders of the United States and Australia, in addition to participating in the 'Korea Investment Summit 2026'. With his visit to Mexico, President Lee will complete a seven-day, five-night trip to the United States and Mexico.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.