Microsoft Sets Up Mobile Research Lab in Korea

The world software giant Microsoft has chosen Korea as its base for mobile communications software development.

Microsoft held a ceremony at Microsoft Korea headquarters in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu on March 7, in which it hung a signboard, introducing the opening of a research and development center to develop software for mobile communications equipment like mobile phones and PDAs. The fact that the software giant selected Korea for its first-ever mobile research institute means that it acknowledges that Korea is a mobile phone powerhouse.

Microsoft announced it would invest a total of 30 million dollars, 10 million dollars annually for the next three years, in the center. Some 30 engineers will develop technologies there.

The company’s choice of Korea as the optimal host for its mobile research lab is based on its belief that the country is a market that adapts quickest to new IT with top-notch mobile phone technology in the world.

The company has already developed an operating system (OS) for a “smart phone,” a combination of a cell phone and computer. It expects to make it the international standard by adding Korea’s mobile communications technology.

Chin Dae-je, the minister of Information and Communication attended the ceremony as well.

Pieter Knook, senior vice president of the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division and Communications Sector Business at Microsoft, said, “We will support the Korean research and development center, and think it could lead related industries in the world.”

Minister Chin predicted, “A combination of Korean mobile equipment, which is innovative and consumer-friendly, and Microsoft’s technology will help develop industry and promote exports.”

Sang-Hoon Kim Suk-Min Hong sanhkim@donga.com smhong@donga.com