SOUTH KOREA - Opens New Chapter with Syria
In a landmark diplomatic development, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed a high-level delegation from the Republic of South Korea to Damascus, marking the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations. The visit, led by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, is the first of its kind and signals a mutual desire to establish formal diplomatic ties.
Under the rule of Bashar Assad, who was ousted in December, Syria maintained close ties with North Korea—a relationship that frequently placed Damascus at odds with much of the international community. Assad’s government faced significant diplomatic isolation, particularly from Western nations, after the violent crackdown on protests in 2011 and the subsequent civil war.
South Korea, for its part, currently maintains diplomatic relations with all 191 UN member states except for its northern rival, North Korea. The decision to now engage with Syria reflects Seoul’s strategic interest in regional stability and post-conflict development, particularly in a Middle East that continues to evolve geopolitically.
-themedialine.org, 16 April 2025
Commentary
Another part of the article reveals, “Analysts view this step as part of the Syrian government’s broader effort to craft a new image, rebuild its economy, and attract international partners.” Forming a partnership with a high-tech powerhouse like South Korea can only be beneficial for the new Syrian government, post-Assad.
Formerly, relations were strained due to Syria’s close ties to North Korea. It is surprising to read that South Korea has “diplomatic relations with all 191 UN member states except for its northern rival, North Korea.” This shows the power of economics in drawing the nations of the world together.
In Scripture, we see that in the end times, “she [Babylon] made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Revelation 14:8b). That means all nations are “drunk” on the lures of materialism, which will eventually reach every part of the globe—even North Korea. -By K. Farmer
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
