The formal establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Syria would be remembered as a landmark event in international relations for both countries. This decision officially ends a very remarkable and unexpected deliberation process that began in February after authorization from South Korea’s cabinet. The announcement of the new ties comes at a dramatic moment for both nations, with both experiencing historic political shifts.
The same thing nearly happened in South Korea where President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached just last week. The Constitutional Court rejected all grounds for appeal and upheld his administration’s removal from power. How South Korea crosses this historic political divide. Even under this difficult circumstance, it has formally recognized diplomatic relations with all 191 United Nations member states, including the Holy See in Rome. This picture of South Korea’s extensive diplomatic network is illustrative of the country’s devotion to global engagement.
The new U.S.-Middle Eastern alliance puts a considerable geopolitical challenge in front of North Korea, which once viewed Syria as a strategic confederate. With these formal ties now established, the future seems bleak for North Korea as it welcomes a new partner regionally while losing its most important one.
Nine years later, Syria is still consumed by civil war and conflict. Sadly, violent clashes continue even months after the deposing of President Bashar al-Assad. Just on March 30, a transitional government was sworn in. Syria’s president al-Sharaa, who’d taken charge of the revolutionaries battling Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war, is running things. The internal turbulence inside Syria, made even more pronounced by their foreign adventure, further strains its domestic politics and affects its foreign relationships.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Shaibani hailed the new diplomatic relations as an end to conflict. He is hoping that South Korea will back efforts to lighten the broad international sanctions currently strangling Damascus. Al-Shaibani’s remarks highlighted the need to work together with Seoul to help Syria’s rehabilitation from its long-running civil war.
South Korea stands ready to assist Syria with business investments and humanitarian assistance. Through all of that, their singular focus is on reuniting the nation. Such a move would follow an earlier surprise diplomatic gambit last year, when South Korea took steps to normalize relations with Cuba.
South Korea anticipate a snap election this June to replace the outgoing Yoon Suk-yeol. During this time, the country is being governed by an acting president. How this election plays out will determine how South Korea engages with its now-global diplomatic partner. This is particularly critical in light of the constant regional assault they experience.
