South Korea establishes diplomatic ties with Syria’s new government

South Korea has formally established diplomatic relations with Syria’s new Islamist-led government, months after a rebel coalition ousted President Bashar al-Assad, Seoul’s foreign ministry announced on Friday. 

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul visited Damascus on Thursday to sign a joint statement with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani, marking the formalisation of bilateral ties.

In a statement, the South Korean foreign ministry said the agreement paves the way for cooperation previously restricted by Syria’s “close ties with North Korea”.

Al-Assad, who had long maintained close relations with North Korea, was overthrown in December by a lighting rebel offensive.

During the latest talks, Cho expressed South Korea’s willingness to support Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction, following more than 13 years of civil war. He indicated that the rebuilding process could eventually involve South Korean businesses and humanitarian assistance.

Al-Shaibani reportedly welcomed the offer and expressed hope that Seoul would also assist in alleviating international sanctions on Syria, according to the South Korean ministry.

With this move, South Korea now maintains diplomatic relations with 191 UN member states, leaving only North Korea out in the cold.

When Seoul established diplomatic relations with Cuba last year, the South Korean government described it as a “political and psychological blow” to the north, whose diplomatic relations still rely heavily on old Cold War allies. 

North Korean state media has not commented on the south’s newly established ties with Syria.

Relations between Seoul and Pyongyang are at a low, with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un continuing his nuclear weapons programme while deepening military ties with Russia, including by supplying arms and personnel for use in the war in Ukraine.