Damascus: Syria and South Korea have officially established diplomatic relations, marking a significant development for both nations amid ongoing political transitions.
The agreement was signed on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Damascus, where South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani sealed the joint statement in a formal ceremony.
This move is particularly notable as it represents a clear shift away from Syria’s previous alignment with North Korea, once a close ally during the rule of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The development comes following months of dialogue that began in February, culminating in the approval of the diplomatic move by Seoul's cabinet, as reported by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
During the ceremony, Cho expressed South Korea's willingness to support Syria’s recovery from its 13-year-long civil war through investment and humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, al-Shaibani highlighted the hope that South Korea would advocate for the easing of international sanctions still placed on Damascus.
This milestone follows the December 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government, ending over five decades of family rule. Syria’s transitional government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa—a former leader in the anti-Assad opposition—was sworn in on March 30. Al-Sharaa’s main goal is to restore stability in Syria, though violent unrest remains in parts of the country.
The diplomatic agreement is not only a win for Syria's new administration but also a strategic advancement for Seoul, which now holds diplomatic ties with all 191 UN member states, including the Vatican.
This move also comes at a time of political turbulence in South Korea. President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached last week following accusations related to a controversial declaration of martial law in December, citing North Korean infiltration. South Korea is now led by an acting president, with a snap election scheduled for June.
Notably, this is not Seoul’s first diplomatic breakthrough in recent times. Last year, it also established formal relations with Cuba, another former ally of North Korea, further isolating Pyongyang on the international stage.
