Enab Baladi – Amir Huquq
Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shibani, and his South Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, signed an agreement on April 10th, establishing the return of diplomatic relations between Syria and South Korea.
According to an official statement released by the Syrian Foreign Ministry on Facebook, both parties agreed to open embassies and exchange diplomatic missions. This step is in the framework of efforts to “restore the leading role of the Syrian Arab Republic in the region and the world which it has lost due to the policies of the previous regime.”
The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated that the agreement opens up new opportunities for bilateral cooperation that were previously hampered by “Syria’s close relations with North Korea.”
A diplomatic advance
This agreement marks a new chapter in the relations between Damascus and Seoul, after a rupture that lasted for more than two decades due to the previous regime’s choice to develop diplomatic relations with the northern part of Korea at the expense of the south.
The shift in Syrian administration’s policy towards South Korea reflects a deepening of previously marginal relations, stemming from the former regime’s alignment with the socialist camp and the camp of internationally isolated countries, according to political researcher Firas Allawi.
He sees the strengthening of ties with a powerful country in Asia like South Korea, especially given its closeness to the United States, as a new political opening for the government towards international relations that did not previously exist.
On the other hand, South Korea is an economically strong nation, and it represents one of the doors that the new government has knocked on to create future investment opportunities in Syria after sanctions on Syria are lifted.
Political analyst Hassan al-Nifi stated in an interview with Enab Baladi that it can be confirmed that the fall of Assad’s regime in Syria should herald a new political era, not only at the domestic level but also on the regional and international fronts. This is because the fallen regime tied Syria to political axes similar to its own in terms of approach and vision, rendering Syria a prisoner of closed political systems, which have become politically and humanitarianly questionable.
“Thus, establishing a political relationship between South Korea and Syria comes within the context of establishing a political path with the global environment that aligns with the political orientations of the new Syria,” he said.
Political fortification
With the restoration of its political relationship with Syria, South Korea now has diplomatic relations with all 191 member countries of the United Nations, except for its rival North Korea.
Political researcher Firas Allawi suggests that South Korea has benefitted from restoring its relations with Damascus by neutralizing one of the supportive forces for its traditional rival, North Korea. It can align Syria more on its side through voting in the UN or providing political support, which is a fundamental political gain for it.
“It is in South Korea’s interest to establish balanced relations whether with Syria or others,” according to political analyst Hassan al-Nifi, considering that the relationship with Syria is unique, given that the fallen regime was a friend of North Korea. Today, the new government establishing new relations with South Korea means, for South Korea, a political and economic shield against North Korea, as well as neutralizing or minimizing North Korea’s allies worldwide.
The previous regime in Syria worked hard to maintain strong political and military relations with North Korea for more than 58 years.
Economic relationship
According to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, the agreement with South Korea paves the way for strengthening bilateral relations and opens up new avenues for cooperation in the fields of economy, technology, and education.
Economic experts predict a significant reflection of the political relationship between the two countries on the economic front since South Korea is an advanced and powerful Asian state.
Economic expert Adham Qudaimati stated that the visit of the South Korean delegation and the signing of the agreement between the two sides reflects a very important aspect for the Syrian economy because South Korea has reached advanced development with the support of the United States, which helps Syria in localizing technology and developing new industries that form the basis of advanced countries’ economies. Such agreements are beneficial and support the Syrian economy rapidly.
South Korea can contribute to reconstruction and provide new and advanced technologies at lower costs, according to Qudaimati.
Political analyst Hassan al-Nifi stated that this is beneficial for Syria from both an economic and a trade exchange perspective. Today, Syria needs to rejuvenate its economic and trade artery, with an eye toward a gradual lifting of the sanctions imposed on it.
As for the economic benefits for South Korea from Syria, economic expert Adham Qudaimati anticipates that the quality of Syrian phosphate and its good reserves may encourage Korean entities to invest in this sector, alongside the oil wealth located in the Mediterranean Sea mentioned in various reports. This may lead to certain contracts for exploration by South Korea, especially using its advanced technologies, and also benefiting from Syria’s important trade location.
Seoul gains ally, Damascus seeks support Enab Baladi.
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