In an act of recognition and fraternity, the Mérida City Council and the local Korean community unveiled two plaques in honor of the Sungmu Korean Military School, which occupied what is now the San Benito Market.
This tribute not only commemorates a momentous chapter in Korean migration to Yucatán, but also highlights the deep ties of friendship and cooperation that have united the two communities for more than a century.
Representing Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada, the General Coordinator of Good Government, Lizbeth Basto Avilés, highlighted the efforts, dedication, and contributions of the Korean community to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of Mérida.
The Korean presence in Mérida dates back to 1905, when 1,033 migrants arrived in Mexico through the port of Salina Cruz, from the port of Jemulpo, Korea.
Their final destination was Yucatán, where they settled on the henequen plantations, facing the adversities of a new land and culture with dignity and strength.
Just four years later, on November 17, 1909, they founded the Sungmu School to train compatriots who would return to Korea to fight for independence from the Japanese occupation.
During the ceremony, Juan Ignacio Durán Cong, president of the Association of Korean Descendants in Yucatán (KORYUC), thanked the Mérida City Council for its willingness to preserve historical memory and strengthen community unity.
For his part, Kab Hwan Jung, president of the Center for Historical Truth and Justice, Latin American branch, paid tribute to the migrants who laid the foundation for the flourishing of the Korean community in Mérida, recalling that their sacrifice and determination are an inspiration to current generations.
Source: desdeelbalcon
