This article is by Seo Ji-eun and read by an artificial voice.

Seoul's ambassadors are often gastronomes keen to share a taste of their home cuisine. In this series, the Korea JoongAng Daily asks the diplomatic corps to introduce our readers to their favorite restaurants representing cuisine from their homelands, while chatting about issues of interest to our Korean and global audience. — Ed.
Mexican Ambassador to Korea Carlos Peñafiel Soto linked the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup to the deeper story of Koreans in Mexico, from the first wave of migration in 1905 to the fifth-generation descendants who now form the heart of the very cities hosting the games.
"Mexico and Korea have maintained diplomatic ties for more than 120 years," the ambassador said during an interview at El Molino, a Mexican restaurant in eastern Seoul's Seongsu-dong, on Feb. 13. "Even during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation [of Korea], Koreans living in Mexico were trying to support Korea's freedom and independence from afar."
With matches set to take place in Monterrey and Guadalajara — the beating hearts of Mexico's Korean business and residential community — the ambassador describes the upcoming game as a beautiful "match between brothers."
Today, Korea stands as Mexico's fourth-largest trading partner, with industry giants such as Samsung, LG and Kia driving the nation's economic engine.
Beyond the pitch, the relationship is also visible in culture. Mexico's enthusiasm for K-pop is so strong that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly requested in January that BTS hold additional concerts in Mexico City.
From savoring tequila "like a kiss" to the parallel significance of Mexico's corn and Korea's rice, the bond between the two nations is as complex as it is passionate.
Below are excerpts from the interview, edited for length and clarity.

Korea and Mexico are in the same group for the World Cup. This is already our third meeting at the World Cup. This match will take place in Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico. The one in Monterrey is especially meaningful, as it is where Korean companies and the Korean community are most active.
How prepared are local authorities for the influx of fans in terms of safety and infrastructure? It will be a true pleasure to welcome the Korean national team, the Red Devils, and Korean fans. The Mexican government and the host entities have intensified coordination through biweekly meetings aimed at overseeing infrastructure progress, standardizing security criteria and refining processes related to transportation, hospitality and tourism.
For instance, in Jalisco, the local government has invested in new public transportation lines and is reviewing logistics related to tourism, such as the capacity of airports, roads, public transportation and hotels. The FIFA Fan Festival, which will take place in downtown Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, will bring together thousands of fans who will enjoy live broadcasts, cultural activities and gastronomy in a safe, festive and inclusive environment.
The Mexican government has also been holding technical meetings with FIFA.

With high tariffs taking effect from the beginning of this year, what is the position on reviving FTA negotiations or Korea's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership ( CPTPP)? Korea was Mexico's fourth-largest trading partner in 2024. From January through November 2025, trade between the two countries amounted to $27 billion, a 2.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This momentum has occurred even in the absence of a bilateral FTA. Having an FTA in the future would be important for strengthening trade and investment exchanges, but such an agreement would depend on the existence of favorable political and economic conditions, both domestically and globally.
Mexico is currently focused on reviewing its trade agreement with the United States, our main export destination, but we are closely ...