President Lee and First Lady Visit Korean Business District in Mexico, Exchange High-Fives with K-pop Fans

Visited Korean Business District Zona Rosa to Encourage Korean Residents
Enjoyed Taco Lunch Together

On September 25 (local time), President Lee Jaemyung and First Lady Kim Hyekyung visited Zona Rosa, a Korean business district in Mexico City often referred to as "Little Seoul," where they encouraged local Korean residents and communicated with Mexican citizens.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, on a state visit to Mexico, greet local citizens on September 25 (local time) in Zona Rosa, Mexico City, an area densely populated with Korean businesses. 2026.9.26 Yonhap News Agency

An Gwiryung, Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the President, stated in a written briefing that the presidential couple toured the Zona Rosa area while listening to explanations from Ambassador Lee Juwil of Korea in Mexico. Zona Rosa is a key commercial district in Mexico City. Since the 1990s, as Korean residents began to settle in earnest, the area became home to restaurants, grocery stores, side dish shops, hair salons, and cafes, earning it the nickname "Little Seoul" among locals.

As the president and first lady entered the street, Korean compatriots holding Korean flags welcomed them with applause and shouted, "Welcome!" President Lee and First Lady Kim responded by waving and shaking hands. President Lee also spoke words of encouragement to a Korean student attending a local elementary school, while First Lady Kim asked a compatriot at a side dish shop what they had purchased.

Mexican citizens greeted the presidential couple by saying "Annyeonghaseyo" in Korean and "Welcome to Mexico" in English. President Lee and First Lady Kim replied with the Spanish greeting "Hola" and accepted requests for photos from citizens.

Notably, the popularity of K-culture was also on display in Zona Rosa. One Mexican citizen said, "I came to Zona Rosa to eat Korean food before attending the Stray Kids concert being held this evening." On the street, young fans wore Stray Kids T-shirts and held cheering lightsticks. President Lee and the First Lady shared high-fives with them, smiling.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who are on a state visit to Mexico, greeted local citizens on the 25th (local time) at Mexico City's Zona Rosa, an area densely populated with Korean businesses. 2026.9.26 Yonhap News Agency

The presidential couple also tasted guava, a tropical fruit sold by street vendors, and had tacos for lunch at the local restaurant 'Tacos Atarantados.' After lunch, they visited the Angel of Independence on Reforma Avenue. Known as the "Angel of Independence," this monument, built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mexico's independence, was erected in 1910 and is one of Mexico City's most iconic landmarks.

The Office of the President explained that this visit "aimed to observe and encourage the daily lives of Korean residents who have established their lives in Mexico, while also deepening understanding of Mexican culture and history through food and everyday spaces."

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