South Korea has officially normalized diplomatic relations with Syria, a long-time ally of North Korea. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul’s visit to Damascus to finalize the agreement reflects South Korea’s expanded diplomatic reach and aims to support Syria’s development. The agreement also signifies a strategic move to apply pressure on North Korea, amid the backdrop of significant political changes in Syria post-Assad.
On Thursday, South Korea officially established diplomatic ties with Syria, a long-time ally of North Korea, marking a significant step in its foreign relations strategy. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul personally traveled to Syria to finalize the agreement, which reflects an expansion of South Korea’s diplomatic engagement and intensifies pressure on North Korea. The Foreign Ministry stated that this normalization opens a new chapter of cooperation, following a long period of severed relations due to Syria’s allegiance to North Korea.
During his visit to Damascus, Cho signed a joint statement with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, which included discussions on enhancing bilateral relations. He emphasized the importance of Syria’s stability for peace in the Middle East and expressed hopes that their newly established ties would aid in Syria’s development amidst ongoing humanitarian challenges. Cho also proposed sharing South Korea’s development expertise and discussed the involvement of South Korean companies in Syrian reconstruction efforts.
In addition to development cooperation, Cho committed to providing humanitarian aid, such as medical supplies and rice, to assist Syria. Al-Shaibani acknowledged Korea’s support and requested help in easing international sanctions placed upon Syria. Cho further met with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, congratulating him on the establishment of a new government following the removal of the Assad regime. He noted that Syria could achieve sustainable economic development by adhering to an inclusive political process and responding to international demands, including the disarmament of chemical weapons.
Following the ousting of Assad, Syria’s interim leadership seeks to reconnect with the global community and move away from previous alliances with nations like North Korea and Russia. The normalization with South Korea, coming just months after its new government formation, enhances Syria’s diplomatic standing. South Korea now has formal relations with all UN member nations except North Korea, with Syria becoming its 194th diplomatic partner. This shift further isolates North Korea, which has historically maintained a close relationship with Syria since the 1960s, notably in military and technological domains. South Korea’s evolving diplomatic landscape is seen as detrimental to North Korea, following a similar move to establish ties with Cuba last year. Unlike the Cuban arrangement, which was conducted through UN channels, the Syrian agreement underscores a direct diplomatic engagement.
South Korea’s establishment of diplomatic ties with Syria marks a crucial expansion of its foreign relations and presents a challenge to North Korea’s diplomatic positioning. This agreement not only reflects changes in Syria’s governance but also emphasizes South Korea’s proactive approach in aiding Syrian development and humanitarian needs. As diplomatic ties are normalized, this move could potentially reshape alliances within the region and signal a shift in international relations dynamics.
Original Source: koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
