Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul signed an agreement on Thursday, April 10, 2025, to formally establish diplomatic relations between Syria and South Korea.
This development follows a period of shifting political landscapes in Syria, including the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 by the rebel group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). South Korea had sent a delegation to Damascus in February 2025, led by Kim Eun-jeong, to explore the possibility of establishing diplomatic ties with the new transitional government.
Syria had been the last UN member state, besides North Korea, with which South Korea did not have formal ties. The establishment of diplomatic relations marks a significant step in South Korea's foreign policy, potentially isolating North Korea, a long-time ally of the former Assad regime.
Asaad al-Shaibani, the current Syrian Foreign Minister, assumed office in December 2024. Cho Tae-yul has been serving as the Foreign Minister of South Korea since January 2024.