S. Korean telecom regulator to decide on approval of iPhone

SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's telecom regulator said Tuesday it will
make a final decision this week on whether to approve the launching of iPhone
services in the country.
Apple Inc. has been in talks with KT Corp., South Korea's No. 2 mobile service
provider, which was aiming to win an exclusive right to sell the worldwide-hit
iPhone on the local market.
However, bringing the iPhone to South Korea has been a slow process as South
Korean law does not allow smartphones with location-base services (LBS), such as
"Google Map" and "Find my iPhone."
The Korea Communications Committee said it will decide on the issue at the
standing committee's Wednesday meeting.
"We will try our best to permit the iPhone within the limits of the law," a
high-ranking official at the committee said. "However, we are not sure of the
result as there are different opinions within the committee."
KT officials, meanwhile, said they plan to sell iPhones in the country next
month, if Apple wins final approval from the regulator.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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