In a historic diplomatic shift, South Korea and Syria have officially established diplomatic relations, marking a significant milestone for both nations amid political transitions. The agreement was formalized on Thursday in Damascus, where South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani.
This development represents a major foreign policy win for Syria’s newly established transitional government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa, and a diplomatic blow to North Korea, which once considered Syria a key ally during the reign of now-deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
During the ceremony, Minister Cho expressed South Korea’s readiness to assist in Syria’s post-war recovery through business investments and humanitarian support. In return, Minister al-Shaibani voiced hope that Seoul would back efforts to ease international sanctions still imposed on Damascus after 13 years of civil conflict.
The move caps off months of diplomatic engagement, which began in February and culminated with Seoul’s cabinet approval, as reported by Yonhap news agency. Both countries are currently navigating major internal shifts — Syria from decades of authoritarian rule, and South Korea from an unexpected political crisis.
In December, Syrian opposition forces overthrew Assad’s regime, ending over 50 years of dynastic rule. The transitional government, led by former opposition figure Ahmad al-Sharaa, was sworn in on March 30. Despite the regime change, the country remains mired in violence and in dire need of reconstruction.
Meanwhile, South Korea faces its own upheaval. President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached last week following a Constitutional Court ruling that backed parliament’s vote to remove him from office. Yoon sparked controversy last year when he briefly declared martial law over claims of North Korean infiltration, plunging the country into political turmoil. A snap presidential election is scheduled for June.
With the formal establishment of diplomatic ties with Damascus, Seoul now enjoys official relations with all 191 UN member states, including the Holy See. This follows last year’s surprise normalization with Cuba — another former North Korean ally — highlighting South Korea’s recent strategic diplomatic push.
As Syria begins the long road to recovery and South Korea prepares for new leadership, the newly forged relationship could serve as a foundation for cooperation, stability, and a redefined presence in global geopolitics.