South Korea opening up to foreign handsets

The South Korean Communications Commission has scrapped a rule requiring internet-enabled handsets to use the local WIPI platform, reports MocoNews.

The conclusion everyone's jumping to is that Apple will be able to launch the iPhone in South Korea, which is a fair enough assumption.

However, the rule-change also opens the way for the likes of Nokia and Sony Ericsson to make more of a push into Korea, challenging dominant local vendors Samsung and LG.

The two largest operators, SK Telecom and KT Freetel, are both apparently keen to sell the iPhone.

The news is highly relevant for Western mobile game developers, particularly those who focus on high-end titles. South Korea has a proven demand for rich, 3D games, but the market has tended to be focused on local developers.

The App Store, Android and N-Gage to all be viable platforms in South Korea by the end of 2009? It could happen.