Argentina welcomes a South Korean president for the first time in 22 years, seeking to strengthen trade, advance a Mercosur-Korea agreement, and deepen investments
In a diplomatic milestone that marks a before and after in the international insertion of Argentina, President Javier Milei today received his counterpart from South Korea, Lee Jae-Myung, at the Casa Rosada.
The official meeting, aimed at strengthening the bilateral relationship, takes place in a context of paradigm shift where economic freedom and legal security act as magnets for the most competitive markets in the world.
Javier Milei and Lee Jae-Myung
The arrival of Lee in Buenos Aires represents the first visit by a South Korean leader in 22 years, a historical anomaly that only the administration of Milei has managed to rectify by returning the country to the path of financial civility.
Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, responsible for welcoming the Asian leader, highlighted the significance of the event, stating that it represents a “historic opportunity with one of the most dynamic economies in the world to expand trade, investments, and joint projects”.
This visit is the final stop of a regional tour that included Brazil and Chile —where the Korean leader met with José Antonio Kast— and positions Argentina as the key interlocutor for Asian interests in the Southern Cone.
At the center of the agenda is Seoul's strong interest in reaching a Free Trade Agreement with Mercosur, a bloc that includes Argentina and seeks to revitalize itself under the current pro-market leadership.
Regarding the complementarity of both nations, Lee Jae-Myung was emphatic in his strategic vision: “Mercosur countries are world leaders in agriculture, food production, energy, and critical minerals. South Korea is a world leader in advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, shipbuilding, batteries, and innovation. By combining these strengths, we can create resilient value chains that benefit both regions”.
Furthermore, the visiting leader emphasized that, in the face of global disruptions, the world demands “reliable partners and trade based on clear rules and mutual trust”, values that today emanate from the Casa Rosada.
The success of the opening and deregulation policy of Javier Milei's government is already showing tangible results in the critical minerals sector, essential for the rise of Artificial Intelligence. This very Friday, the national government approved the access of the South Korean giant Posco to the benefits of the Large Investment Incentives Regime (RIGI).
This decision will allow the expansion of the lithium project Sal de Oro in the northwest of the country, through a direct investment of 207.9 million dollars. With this move, Argentina not only secures foreign currency but also consolidates itself as a fundamental player in the global high-tech supply chain, leaving behind years of decline and isolation.
