Syria extended full diplomatic honours to South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul during a discreet visit last week aimed at establishing formal diplomatic relations, a significant move reflecting Syria’s interest in strengthening economic and reconstruction cooperation with Seoul.

Cho visited Damascus last Thursday, finalising South Korea’s diplomatic outreach to all United Nations member states except North Korea. Due to ongoing security challenges in Syria, the trip was kept low-profile, a South Korean official said.

“Minister Cho was welcomed with full honours and escorted by a security convoy from the airport to the Lebanese border,” the official said, noting that the scale of the security was triple that typically provided to foreign ministers.

After holding bilateral talks, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani personally drove Cho to the presidential palace — a rare and symbolic act of respect in the Arab world — for a meeting with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Cho was in Syria for five hours before departing overland to Lebanon, later flying home from Istanbul, Yonhap News Agency reported.

During the discussions, Syrian officials expressed strong interest in South Korea’s development model and proposed forming a strategic partnership to support the country’s post-conflict reconstruction. Areas of focus include development aid, energy, IT, and infrastructure rebuilding.

Syria’s leadership also voiced hope that South Korea would support its efforts to reduce international sanctions and offered to send a delegation to Seoul soon.

“This marks the first establishment of diplomatic ties by Syria’s new government,” the Seoul official noted. “Syria sees South Korea as a crucial partner in rebuilding efforts, and Korean companies may find opportunities in this collaboration.”

The move also represents a shift in Syria’s foreign policy, distancing itself from historical ties with North Korea in favor of more globally integrated relations.

While embassy openings have not yet been discussed, the South Korean embassy in Lebanon will temporarily handle affairs related to Syria, according to the official.