South Korea beer sales skyrocket during World Cup games

June 28 (UPI) -- South Korea's 2-0 victory over Germany has created an unlikely bond with Mexico and has sent sales of beer soaring in Seoul on the day of the game.

South Korean soccer fans gathered in public spaces in Seoul on Wednesday to watch the game on giant digital screens around the city.

The activity of World Cup spectatorship when the South Korean team played Mexico on Sunday, then played Germany on Wednesday, led to an 800 percent increase in beer sales, local news service News 1 reported.

That increase was only for one chain of convenience stores, GS25, owned by the GS Company. GS' parent company split from conglomerate LG Group in 2005.

Sales of beer were higher on the day of the match with Mexico, increasing by nearly 300 percent at GS25 stores across the country.

On Wednesday during the game with Germany, beer sales increased nearly five-fold at GS25 locations near hubs of fan activity in central Seoul, according to the report.

Sales of snacks increased more than six-fold, and carbonated beverage sales increased nearly four-fold.

In Mexico City, more than 700 Mexican soccer fans gathered outside the South Korean embassy, bearing gifts of flowers, liquor and coffee to thank the South Korean government, SBS reported Wednesday.

Footage of the gathering shows the South Korean consul general being carried on the shoulders of Mexican fans, heard chanting, "Korea is a brother, you are now Mexicans!"

Mexico was defeated by Sweden but was still able to advance because of South Korea's surprise defeat of Germany.

Flag carrier Aeromexico has offered discount flights to South Korea on Twitter, and said the airline "loves Korea."

Mexico's Secretary of Finance José Antonio González reportedly offered to buy South Korean Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon a meal at the next G20 meeting, according to SBS.