Syria, South Korea establish formal diplomatic relations

In a landmark diplomatic development, South Korea has formally established diplomatic relations with Syria, marking the culmination of Seoul's efforts to engage with all United Nations member states, excluding North Korea.

The agreement was signed on April 10, 2025, in Damascus by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

During his visit, Minister Cho also met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed office following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

This diplomatic breakthrough signifies a strategic shift for both nations. For South Korea, it represents an expansion of its international presence and a move to engage with countries previously aligned with its northern neighbor. For Syria, the establishment of ties with Seoul indicates a desire to diversify its international partnerships and seek support for reconstruction efforts after years of conflict.

Asaad al-Shaibani stressed that South Korea’s support is critically important for Syria, expressing hope for "friendly cooperation that would contribute to international peace."

For its part, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the restoration of diplomatic ties would mark “a new chapter in cooperation with Syria.”

Notably, Cho Tae-yul is the first South Korean foreign minister to visit Syria.

With this agreement, South Korea now maintains diplomatic relations with all UN member states except North Korea, further isolating Pyongyang diplomatically.

This development follows South Korea's establishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba in 2024, another nation historically aligned with North Korea, underscoring Seoul's commitment to broadening its global diplomatic engagements.

By Tamilla Hasanova