Yucatán and South Korea Celebrate 120 Years of Friendship

Mérida, Yucatán — The government of Yucatán, under the leadership of Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena, reinforced its cultural and diplomatic ties with South Korea during the State Day of the Republic of Korea celebration. The event marked the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of Korean immigrants to Mexico and highlighted the enduring contributions of the Korean-Yucatecan community to the region’s social and economic development.

A Celebration of Shared Heritage

The cultural program, organized by the Association of Korean Descendants in Yucatán (Koryuc A.C.), brought together families and friends to showcase the fusion of Korean traditions with Yucatecan customs. The festivities began with a floral offering at a commemorative plaque in Santiago neighborhood, honoring the ship Chemulpo, which carried the first Korean immigrants to Yucatán in 1905.

Attendees then marched to Mérida’s City Hall, where performances included traditional Korean dances, a Taekwondo demonstration, K-Pop choreographies, and Yucatecan jarana dances. The dance group Ka’ambal, composed of Yucatecans and Korean descendants, also participated.

Diplomatic Recognition and Historical Legacy

A formal ceremony featured the national anthems of Mexico and South Korea, led by Sanhui Lee, Minister Counselor of the South Korean Embassy; Darío Flota Ocampo, Secretary of Tourism Promotion for Yucatán; Karla Berrón Cámara, Director of Identity and Culture for Mérida’s City Council; Juan Durán Cong and Luis Olav Olsen Lee, president and vice president of Koryuc A.C.; and Ricardo Ponce Gutiérrez, Honorary Consul of South Korea in Yucatán.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Díaz Mena, Flota Ocampo emphasized the event’s significance in reaffirming the bonds of friendship and cultural exchange between the two nations. He noted that Yucatán stands as a living example of how immigrant communities integrate and enrich local culture.

Landmarks of Bilateral Cooperation

Flota Ocampo highlighted key milestones in Yucatán’s relationship with South Korea, including:

• The Korea-Mexico Friendship Hospital, operational since 2005, providing healthcare to hundreds of families.
• The Museum of Korean Immigration to Yucatán, established in 2007, which preserves the legacy of Korean-Yucatecan families.
• The naming of Avenida República de Corea in 2017 and the installation of the Greetingman sculpture in 2021, symbols of diplomatic solidarity.

The event underscored the enduring impact of Korean immigration on Yucatán’s cultural and social fabric, celebrating seven generations of shared history.