South Korea mulling diplomatic relations with post-Assad Syria

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) — South Korea is considering establishing formal diplomatic ties with Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, according to a Foreign Ministry official.

"In our judgment, the underlying environment for establishing diplomatic relations is becoming favorable," a ministry official said after leading a South Korean delegation to Damascus.

It was the first such South Korean delegation in Damascus in 22 years, according to Yonhap News

Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed willingness to establish diplomatic ties with South Korea, said the official.

The plan to establish ties with Damascus comes after Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the regime of the Baath Party, which had been in power since 1963.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led the anti-regime groups, was declared president last month.

Syria is the only UN member nation with which South Korea does not have diplomatic relations.

The South Korean government stressed its "continued support for the Syrian people's journey for freedom and democracy," said the official.

During talks with Syrian officials, the South Korean delegation discussed potential economic cooperation and Seoul's intent to take part in efforts to rebuild the war-torn nation.