South Korea establishes diplomatic relations with Syria, a longtime
friend of rival North Korea
[April 11, 2025]
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea has established diplomatic
relations with Syria’s new Islamist government, Seoul’s foreign ministry
said Friday, months after a rebel coalition ousted President Bashar
Assad, who had maintained close ties with North Korea. South Korean
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul traveled to Damascus on Thursday to sign a
joint communique with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani
establishing formal diplomatic relations — a move the South Korean
ministry said opens new opportunities for bilateral cooperation
previously hindered by Syria’s “close ties with North Korea.”
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In this photo provided by South Korea Foreign Ministry, South Korean
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, left, shakes hands with Syrian Foreign
Minister Asaad al-Shaibani after signing a joint statement on the
establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries in Damascus,
Syria, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (South Korea Foreign Ministry via AP) |
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Cho during the talks conveyed Seoul’s willingness to support
Syria’s reconstruction efforts following the 13-year civil war,
a process that he said could eventually involve South Korean
businesses, and to expand humanitarian aid.
Al-Shaibani welcomed the prospect of South Korean contributions
to Syria’s reconstruction and expressed hope for Seoul’s support
in easing international sanctions on Damascus, the South Korean
ministry said.
South Korea now has diplomatic relations with all 191 U.N.
member states except for its war-divided rival, North Korea.
Relations between the Koreas are now at their worst in years as
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to flaunt his nuclear
weapons and missile program and provide arms and troops to
Russia to fuel its warfighting in Ukraine.
North Korean state media didn’t immediately comment on South
Korea establishing ties with Syria.
South Korea also established diplomatic relations with Cuba last
year, which the Seoul government then claimed would deal a
“political and psychological blow” to the North, whose
diplomatic footing is largely dependent on a limited number of
Cold War allies.
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