South Korea–Syria relations are the
bilateral relations
Bilateralism is the conduct of political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which is activity by a single state or jointly by multiple states, respectively. When ...
between the
Republic of Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...
and the
Syrian Arab Republic
Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in West Asia located in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to Syria–Turkey border, the north, Iraq to Iraq–Syria border, t ...
. Formal
diplomatic relations
Diplomacy is the communication by representatives of state, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions intended to influence events in the international system.Ronald Peter Barston, ''Modern Diplomacy'', Pearson Education, 2006, p. ...
were established on 10 April 2025, marking a significant shift in Syria's international relations and completing South Korea's diplomatic outreach and
foreign relations
Foreign policy, also known as external policy, is the set of strategies and actions a State (polity), state employs in its interactions with other states, unions, and international entities. It encompasses a wide range of objectives, includ ...
to nearly all
United Nations member states
The United Nations comprise sovereign states and the world's largest intergovernmental organization. All members have equal representation in the UN General Assembly.
The Charter of the United Nations defines the rules for admission of ...
.
History
Prior to 2025, Syria was the only United Nations member state that did not maintain diplomatic relations with South Korea.
This was largely due to Syria's long-standing alliance with North Korea, which included military cooperation and ideological alignment during the Cold War and beyond.
Following the
overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, a transitional government led by President
Ahmed al-Sharaa
Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa (born 29 October 1982) also known by his ''nom de guerre'' Abu Mohammad al-Julani, is a Syrian politician and former rebel commander serving as the president of Syria since January 2025. He previously served as the coun ...
was formed.
This new administration aimed to normalize relations with Western and Asian nations, including South Korea, as part of broader efforts to reintegrate Syria into the international community.
Establishment of diplomatic relations
On 10 April 2025, South Korean Foreign Minister
Cho Tae-yul
Cho Tae-yul (; born 10 November 1955) is a South Korean diplomat who has been serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 9 January 2024.
Education
Cho graduated from Seoul National University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. In 1983, C ...
visited
Damascus
Damascus ( , ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in the Levant region by population, largest city of Syria. It is the oldest capital in the world and, according to some, the fourth Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. Kno ...
and met with Syrian Foreign Minister
Asaad al-Shaibani
Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani () is a Syrian politician who serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in the Syrian transitional government since 21 December 2024 following the fall of the Assad regime.
Early life and education
Al-Sha ...
. During the meeting, both sides signed a formal agreement to establish diplomatic relations, which included plans to open embassies and exchange
diplomatic mission
A diplomatic mission or foreign mission is a group of people from a state or organization present in another state to represent the sending state or organization officially in the receiving or host state. In practice, the phrase usually denotes ...
s.
Areas of cooperation
The establishment of diplomatic ties is expected to foster cooperation in several sectors:
* Reconstruction: South Korea expressed interest in contributing to Syria's post-conflict reconstruction, drawing on its own experience with economic development and infrastructure building.
* Humanitarian assistance: Seoul has also offered
humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material and Humanitarian Logistics, logistic assistance, usually in the short-term, to people in need. Among the people in need are the homelessness, homeless, refugees, and victims of natural disasters, wars, and famines. Th ...
, including food and medical supplies, in support of Syria's recovery from years of conflict.
The move is diplomatically significant for both nations. For South Korea, it marks the near completion of formal ties with all UN member states, with the exception of
North Korea
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu River, Yalu (Amnok) an ...
.
For Syria, it represents a strategic pivot toward broader global engagement and a move away from its previous isolation under the Assad regime.
See also
*
Foreign relations of South Korea
South Korea maintains diplomatic relations with 191 countries. The country has also been a member of the United Nations since 1991, when it became a member state at the same time as North Korea. South Korea has also hosted major internati ...
*
Foreign relations of Syria
Since the Syrian Republic gained independence from the French Mandate, Syria has seen tension with its neighbours, such as Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon. Ensuring national security, increasing influence among its Arab neighbours and ...
*
North Korea–Syria relations
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:South Korea-Syria relations
Bilateral relations of South Korea
Bilateral relations of Syria