Seoul: The South Korean government has decided to review establishing a formal diplomatic relationship with Syria following the recent fall of the Assad family's half-century-long dictatorship, an official said Tuesday. An official at the foreign ministry revealed the plan after returning from a trip to Syria earlier this month, where the official confirmed the Syrian interim government's willingness to establish diplomatic ties with Seoul and examined the country's current situation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the official noted that the underlying environment for establishing diplomatic relations is becoming favorable. The Syrian interim government welcomed the move, and Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed an intent to newly establish bilateral ties with South Korea. Syria is the only U.N. member country with which South Korea does not have diplomatic ties. Bilateral relations, if forged, are expected to broaden Seoul's diplomatic landscape.
Last year, South Korea established diplomatic relations with Cuba and opened its embassy in Havana last month. In December, rebel fighters, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, overthrew the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, bringing an end to the Assad family's dictatorship. Ahmed al-Sharaa has since been named president for the "transitional period."
Syria established diplomatic ties with North Korea in 1966, but the interim government is believed to be seeking to minimize relations with countries that had close ties with the fallen Assad regime. The official, who led the first South Korean delegation to Syria in 22 years, said the government stressed its continued support for the Syrian people's journey for freedom and democracy.
Talks with Syrian counterparts also emphasized the benefits of potential economic cooperation and Seoul's intent to take part in efforts to rebuild Syria. Syrian authorities are prioritizing energy, communications, infrastructure, education, and public health in rebuilding the country.