On October 5, the international forum on Korea’s future associate membership to the Pacific Alliance "Perspectives and Opportunities," was held at the 600th Anniversary Hall of Sungkyunkwan University. The Pacific Alliance is a coalition aimed at strengthening national competitiveness and expanding cooperation among countries through free trade between Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia. Currently, it is promoting the liberalization of four areas of free movement of goods, services, capital, and people with 92% of the liberalization rate of trade, establishment of one-stop business window, establishment of Latin American capital integration market, and joining of stock exchange. 

Korea announced its intention to join the membership as an associate member country through the 2018 Pacific Alliance summit held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in July and this forum welcomed South Korea's accession to the associate membership and was a reflection of the future of the Pacific Alliance.

At the forum, Ambassador of Peru, H.E. Daúl Matute–Mejla gave opening speech and   ambassadors of Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Ki Joon KM, the FTA negotiator of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea gave presentations during main session. Clombia's Ambassador H.E. Juan Pablo Rodríguez said, “Negotiations between the four countries and the associate membership countries are currently under way and I am looking forward to see Korea’s associate membership soon.” Ambassador H.E. Bruno Figueroa of Mexico said, "With new regime, alliance is renewed more vigorously than ever and will further strengthen cooperation and integration in the future. There are already about 1,400 student exchanges between our allies, and Korea is expected to participate." Finally, Ki Joon KIM, FTA negotiator of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, expressed his intention to become a associate member of the Pacific Alliance.

Kyu Sang CHUNG, the President of SKKU said “We are honored in the sense that we have been part of public diplomacy. We will endeavor to become the foundation for the continued expansion of cooperation between Korea and the Pacific Alliance."