Syria Extends Full Diplomatic Honours to South Korean FM During Discreet Visit

Syria showered South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul with highest diplomatic accolades when he took his secret visit to Damascus last week, making history as the two countries established formal diplomatic ties. The Cho visit, under strict security due to Syria's volatile environment, received f...

Syria showered South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul with highest diplomatic accolades when he took his secret visit to Damascus last week, making history as the two countries established formal diplomatic ties. The Cho visit, under strict security due to Syria's volatile environment, received full security escort and VIP-level treatment from touchdown to takeoff. He was personally brought by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani for a courtesy call on interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the presidential palace, reflecting how much significance Damascus placed on the occasion. This is a historic visit coming after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad and the installation of a transitional government in Syria. The newly established ties open avenues for economic cooperation, reconstruction aid, and humanitarian assistance, with Seoul announcing that it stands ready to assist Syria in rebuilding after 13 years of domestic strife. The move also marks South Korea's diplomatic outreach to all UN member states save North Korea. Source: Yonhap, Al Jazeera, Korea Herald