Ambassador Mathias Francke, the distinguished representative of the Republic of Chile to the Republic of Korea, stands today as one of the most active and future-oriented diplomats shaping the relationship between Santiago and Seoul.
The Ambassador of Chile to Korea has been fond of geography since his school days and continues to take great interest in the subject. He could be actively engaged with our geography initiatives through GGS.
His tenure comes at a moment when the global landscape is shifting rapidly—driven by technological transformation, sustainability agendas, and restructuring trade networks—and his leadership has helped ensure that the Chile–Korea partnership evolves in ways that are both contemporary and deeply strategic.
Ambassador Mathias Francke’s work reflects a rare combination of vision, pragmatism, and intellectual depth. He understands that diplomacy in the 21st century must help societies prepare for the future—economically, technologically, and culturally. His tenure thus stands as a compelling example of how a modern diplomat can leverage historical ties, shared values, and emerging opportunities to create a partnership that is not only mutually beneficial but also globally significant.
As the head of Chile’s diplomatic mission in Seoul, Ambassador Francke oversees a broad portfolio that extends far beyond traditional political diplomacy. His work encompasses trade expansion, educational and scientific collaboration, cultural exchange, and the promotion of long-term investment frameworks between the two nations. Under his stewardship, the embassy has become an active platform that connects the two countries in areas as diverse as maritime training, hydrogen energy innovation, and public cultural programming. The breadth of this engagement reflects his belief that diplomacy must serve as a bridge between societies as well as between governments.
One of the most significant milestones during his tenure has been the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Korea–Chile Free Trade Agreement—the first FTA Korea ever signed, and a foundational document that doubled bilateral trade and helped define Chile’s contemporary position within Asia’s economic architecture. Ambassador Francke has repeatedly emphasized how this agreement not only expanded market access but also built the trust necessary for new forms of cooperation. Marking two decades of partnership, he has articulated a vision for modernizing the FTA to incorporate green energy, digital commerce, supply-chain resilience, and emerging technologies—areas in which Korea excels and Chile provides invaluable natural and strategic advantages.
Energy cooperation has become a signature theme of Francke’s diplomacy. Chile, already recognized as a global leader in renewable energy potential—particularly in solar, wind, and green hydrogen—is seeking partners capable of advancing large-scale technological innovation. Korea, with its engineering expertise and industrial capabilities, represents an ideal collaborator. Ambassador Francke’s meeting with KENTECH, Korea’s national energy-specialized university, exemplifies his forward-looking approach. The discussions centered on joint research, academic exchange, and hydrogen-based energy development—an area poised to become a cornerstone of Chile’s national development strategy and a new frontier of bilateral cooperation.
His diplomatic engagement also extends to maritime and fisheries sectors, where he has facilitated educational and training exchanges with Korean institutions such as the Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology. This collaboration includes curriculum development, practical training, and student exchanges—initiatives that reflect his commitment to empowering the next generation of professionals who will shape Chile’s maritime future. These educational partnerships underscore his conviction that long-term bilateral relationships must be rooted in human capacity-building as much as in policy agreements.
Ambassador Francke has also played a vital role in cultural diplomacy. His leadership supported exhibitions such as “Encounter Between Three Worlds: 500 Years After the First Circumnavigation of the Earth,” an event that introduced Chilean heritage and historical perspectives to Korean audiences. His initiatives demonstrate that diplomacy is a cultural endeavour as much as an economic or political one, and that shared historical understanding helps strengthen the foundations of international friendship.
Throughout his tenure, Ambassador Francke has highlighted the values Chile and Korea share—democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and a commitment to open cooperation. His speeches, interviews, and public engagements consistently reaffirm the idea that these shared principles form the bedrock of the relationship and must guide the next chapter of bilateral cooperation. His vision is deeply aligned with global trends: sustainable development, ESG-oriented industry, clean energy transitions, and the creation of resilient global supply chains. Chile’s abundant natural resources and Korea’s technological leadership make the two countries natural partners in this new economic geography.
In every domain he touches—energy, maritime affairs, education, culture, and trade—Ambassador Francke works to ensure that Chile’s partnership with Korea becomes more relevant, future-proof, and multidimensional. His diplomacy demonstrates not only strategic thinking but an appreciation for the ways people, ideas, and institutions shape the long arc of international relations. Under his leadership, the Chilean Embassy in Seoul has become a dynamic node within the broader network of Chile’s global diplomacy, and an influential actor in the development of Chile–Korea relations.
