[Today’s Prayer] South Korea establishes diplomatic relations with Syria… 191 UN member states complete diplomatic relations

South Korea established diplomatic relations with Syria, which put an end to its iron-fisted rule.

(omitted)

Minister Cho said that the stability and prosperity of Syria are important for peace in the Middle East and global peace, and expressed his hope that cooperation between South Korea and Syria based on the establishment of diplomatic relations between both sides will contribute to the development of Syria and the stability of the Middle East.

In particular, he expressed his intention to share South Korea’s development experience in the process of rebuilding Syria, and explored the possibility of Korean companies participating in reconstruction activities if conditions improve. He also said that he would support Syria’s humanitarian crisis response by providing humanitarian goods such as medicine, medical equipments, and rice.

Minister Al-Shaibani expressed his gratitude, and said that he expected South Korea’s support for easing sanctions against Syria, and proposed discussing South Korea’s future contribution to the Syrian reconstruction sector.

(Omitted)

President Al-Shara welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Syria, and said that South Korea’s support is important for the start of a new Syria, and that through this diplomatic relationship, the two countries should develop friendly and cooperative relations that contribute to international peace.

President Al-Shara took power in December of last year after leading the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to overthrow the dictatorial regime of Bashar al-Assad. Syria’s civil war that began in 2011 ended with the rebels’ victory, but its economy has collapsed and reconstruction is in dire need of time.

The establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Syria was completed quickly in just two months after South Korea dispatched a delegation to Syria in early February to confirm Syria’s intention to establish diplomatic relations. The collapse of the Assad regime, which had maintained close relations with North Korea, was a major factor in the smooth establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Syria has maintained close relations with North Korea for over half a century since establishing diplomatic relations in 1966, but the interim government has kept its distance. It is also known that diplomats from the North Korean embassy in Syria fled after the fall of the Assad regime.

Source: Yonhap News

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. (Psalm 20:1-3)

The Assad dictatorship that ruled Syria for two generations was close to anti-Western countries such as North Korea and did not establish diplomatic relations with South Korea. However, unlike the previous regime, we hear that the Syrian interim government signed an agreement with South Korea to establish diplomatic relations and agreed to establish an embassy and exchange diplomats.

Jesus, who loves all nations, please have mercy on Syria. The 14-year civil war has finally ended, but the damage caused by the war is so great that the country needs to be reconstructed. Although the civil war has ended, Jesus, please help the Syrian people who are still in tribulation.

We praise the Lord who hears the prayers of the global church for Syria! We believe that the doors of Syria, which have been closed until now, will open even more with the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Syria. Please open the path for the gospel to be spread to Syria, which has been closed until now, so that more people can go to Syria with the gospel.

Please let the churches that the Lord has planted in Syria boldly fulfill the mission of spreading the love of Jesus to the Syrian people. When the Syrians cry out to Jesus, may You answer their prayers and come to their aid through the Syrian church.

Although the Syrians are in need of the help from the world powers due to its crippled economy after the civil war, may they first seek Jesus who helps Syria. Let Syria confess that although the world powers can help Syria with various materials and methods, only Jesus can truly save Syria!

Let Syria experience Jesus who helps and loves Syria, and spread this gospel to all nations, and may they rise up as a nation that runs toward the completion of the Kingdom of God! Let the Syrian people rise up as the high priests of the Arabs!