Club Campestre de Monterrey A.C. (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/CCL)
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korean Association of Mexico has launched a petition calling on South Korea’s National Assembly to support the establishment of a consular branch office in Monterrey, the northern Mexican city that now hosts the country’s largest population of Korean nationals.
Monterrey, located in the border state of Nuevo León, is home to over 3,600 South Koreans—surpassing even Mexico City, which has approximately 2,900, according to data from Mexico’s immigration agency.
When surrounding areas such as Saltillo are included, the regional Korean population is estimated to account for nearly 50% of all Koreans living in Mexico.
The region has become a magnet for Korean businesses, including major firms such as Kia Motors and LG Electronics, with more than 450 Korean companies operating locally. Proximity to the United States and strong industrial support from regional governments have made the area a hub for nearshoring operations.
Monterrey also serves as a stopover point for AeroMexico’s direct flights between Mexico City and Incheon, further highlighting its logistical importance.
However, the lack of a nearby consular office has created practical difficulties for Korean residents and expatriates, who currently must travel over 1,000 kilometers—approximately a 1 hour 40 minute flight—to access consular services at the South Korean Embassy in Mexico City.
Basic tasks such as passport renewals and emergency consular support have proven challenging, especially amid a rise in incidents requiring immediate attention.
A view of San Pedro Garza García in the Monterrey metropolitan area, Mexico (Image source: AFP/Yonhap News, file photo)
The urgency is heightened by Monterrey’s role as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Should South Korea’s national team play matches in Monterrey, the influx of Korean visitors and fans is expected to be substantial.
Jung Sang-goo, president of the Korean Association of Mexico, emphasized the city’s growing significance: “Given Monterrey’s importance, we believe a consular branch capable of handling essential services is urgently needed. There is already consensus on this issue from recent parliamentary audits of the embassy, and we hope the government will act swiftly to address it.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
