Stray Kids to meet Mexican and South Korean presidents in Mexico City

Stray Kids will meet Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Sept. 24 at the National Palace in Mexico City. Sheinbaum confirmed the joint meeting during her Thursday morning press conference. Billboard

She introduced the South Korean group to reporters in simple terms. She called them "kind of like BTS, but younger." She added that Stray Kids are younger than the members of BTS.

The bilateral talks are about more than music. Trade and investment cooperation will lead the agenda. Expansion of South Korean cultural content in Mexico, including television, film and pop music programmes, is also listed for discussion.

Lee's stop in Mexico is part of a wider organised trip. He is visiting the United States and Mexico from Sept. 21 to 27 to attend the UN General Assembly. Reuters

Stray Kids will be the second K-pop group to meet Sheinbaum this year. BTS were the first. Sheinbaum has made no secret of her interest. She previously wrote a letter to Lee asking for more BTS concerts in Mexico.

The palace meeting comes one day before a big live date. Stray Kids are scheduled to play Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City on Friday, Sept. 25. The Mexican government will gift 10 tickets for that show to children from low-income families. The tickets will be distributed through Mexico's National System for Integral Family Development, the public organisation that supports family welfare.

A reporter then asked about another idea. Could Stray Kids play a free concert in the Zócalo, Mexico City's huge central square? Sheinbaum smiled. "We'll see," she said.

For fans, this means a packed two days. A presidential meeting first. A stadium show next. And one open question hanging over the square.