With the latest addition of the Levantine country, South Korea now has diplomatic arrangements with some 194 countries including non-UN entities such as the Cook Islands, Niue, and the Vatican, the Foreign Ministry here said on Friday.
The ministry hailed it as a "diplomatic milestone" for Seoul, saying it would open a "new chapter for bilateral cooperation with Syria," a country that had long remained out of reach due to its close ties with North Korea.
The diplomatic breakthrough came amid a major political shift in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime in December, paving the way for a South Korean delegation to visit the country in February, the first such visit in over two decades.
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul traveled to Damascus earlier this week, where he met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaybani to formalize procedures for diplomatic ties between the two countries.
During the meeting, Cho said that South Korea will help support Syria's regional stability and facilitate reconstruction efforts in cooperation with major businesses, while sharing its experiences in economic growth and development.
Expressing his gratitude, Shaybani proposed enhancing cooperation and supporting efforts to lift international sanctions.
Later, Cho also met with interim President Ahmed al-Shara, who emphasized the importance of Seoul's support in the new Syrian government's recovery process and reconstruction projects.
reporter
Im Yoon-seo
lyseo0330@ajupress.com
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