(LEAD) S. Korea mulls forging diplomatic ties with Syria following fall of Assad

Diplomacy 16:56 February 11, 2025

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout including Syria's response)

SEOUL, Feb. 11 (Yonhap) -- 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.

"In our judgment, the underlying environment for establishing diplomatic relations is becoming favorable," the official noted, saying that the Syrian interim government welcomed the move.

The official quoted Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani as expressing an intent on newly establishing 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 in a surprise move 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 half a century of dictatorship by the Assad family. He 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.

Also emphasized during talks with Syrian counterparts were the benefits that could be reaped from their potential economic cooperation and Seoul's intent to take part in efforts to rebuild Syria, the official added.

Syrian authorities are known to be prioritizing energy, communications, infrastructure, education and public health in rebuilding the country.