S. Korea establishes diplomatic ties with Syria in foreign policy milestone

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, April 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea established diplomatic relations with Syria this week, the foreign ministry said Friday, a diplomatic milestone that completed Seoul's endeavors to have formal ties with every U.N. member state except North Korea.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul traveled to Damascus on Thursday (local time) to finalize the procedure and met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani for talks on the development of bilateral relations, it said.

Syria was the last U.N. member state with which South Korea did not have diplomatic ties.

With the opening of the new ties, South Korea now has official relations with all 191 U.N. member states except North Korea. Additionally, South Korea has diplomatic ties with three non-U.N. members: the South Pacific island nations of the Cook Islands and Niue, and the Holy See.

"This development opens a new chapter of cooperation with Syria, whose bilateral relations with South Korea had been severed due to its close ties with North Korea," the ministry said in a release.

During talks with Al-Shaibani, Cho expressed hope that bilateral cooperation will contribute to Syria's development and regional stability as South Korea is ready to share its experience in economic growth to back Syria's reconstruction process, the ministry said.

Cho also discussed with his counterpart the possibility of South Korean companies participating in reconstruction efforts, as well as providing humanitarian assistance to the Arab nation, including medicine, medical equipment and rice.

The Syrian minister expressed his gratitude for South Korea's offers while hoping that Seoul will support its bid to have sanctions on his country eased, the ministry said.

Following the talks, Cho paid a courtesy call on Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

During the meeting, Cho noted that Syria's efforts to meet international expectations, such as undertaking an inclusive political process, taking a firm stance against extremism and eliminating chemical weapons, will help create an environment conducive to its reconstruction and sustainable economic development.

The minister said that South Korea was willing to play a role in supporting the new Syrian government's efforts.

In response, Al-Sharra hailed the formation of ties with South Korea, highlighting that South Korea's support is "crucial for a new Syria embarking on a fresh start," and hoping for a "friendly and cooperative relationship that contributes to international peace," according to Seoul's ministry.

Since the launch of Syria's interim government in December, led by former rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, South Korea had been stepping up efforts to establish formal diplomatic ties with the Arab nation.

A foreign ministry official paid a visit to Syria in early February and confirmed the interim government's willingness to pursue bilateral relations. The move to open diplomatic relations was approved at a Cabinet meeting in Seoul on March 18.

The establishment of formal ties with Syria is expected to further expand South Korea's diplomatic reach, following its surprise announcement in New York in February last year to forge relations with Cuba.

Seoul's ties with Havana dealt a blow to Pyongyang, Cuba's Cold War-era ally, which has long touted its "brotherly" relationship with the socialist Caribbean state.

Syria has maintained ties with North Korea since establishing diplomatic relations in 1966.

In December, Syria's rebel fighters overthrew the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, bringing an end to half a century of dictatorship by the Assad family. Al-Sharaa has since been named president for the transitional period.

elly@yna.co.kr
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