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Nov. 24, 2009

Apple is getting ready to launch the iPhone in South Korea tomorrow, bringing the most popular smartphone to one of the world's most sophisticated mobile handset markets.

South-Korean electronics retailer KT Corp. began accepting orders for the iPhone both online and in stores Nov. 22. Service is slated to start Saturday as part of an official launch, said Alice Park, a spokeswoman for KT Corp.

The announcement was greatly anticipated but has lagged behind other countries in Asia in introducing the iPhone and that has actually solidified Apple's status as a purveyor of cutting-edge consumer electronics.

Overall, the South Korean wireless market is dominated by domestic manufacturers Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, which are already big players overseas, especially in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Speculation has focused on how South Korean consumers will react to the iPhone's introduction.

The iPhone made its formal debut in China late last month via local partner China Unicom. It went on sale in Japan last year and is also available in India and Australia, as well as other countries in the region.

Globally, the iPhone is available in no less than 86 countries and territories and will be soon in four more, according to Apple's website. Despite KT's announcement, the site still did not mention South Korea.

Steve Park, Apple's spokesman in Seoul, confirmed KT's announcement, but declined further comment and would offer no sales projections to a bunch of reporters gathered in a room.

"We are thrilled to bring iPhone to South Korea," Kim Woo-sik, CEO of KT's personal customer group, said in a press release. "Our customers will enjoy the power and benefits of using the revolutionary iPhone on KT's 3G network."

But there are already some that think KT's older 3G network could mean iPhones that are a bit slow and sluggish. Others disagreed.

The iPhone's introduction was delayed by regulatory hurdles, the last of which was overcome on Nov. 18 when the Korea Communications Commission approved the granting of a business license to Apple to offer location-based services.

SK Telecom, South Korea's largest wireless carrier, has also been in discussions with Apple about offering the iPhone. Spokeswoman Lauren Kim said Sunday that SK Telecom had not made any decision regarding the iPhone.

Location-based services include functions such as maps and direction finders that are included on the iPhone.

Under current South Korean laws, the country requires companies that provide such applications to obtain government permission beforehand.

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Source: KT Corp.