While South Korean companies like Samsung enjoy all the good graces of the South Korean government, outsiders have typically had a hard time breaking into their market due to regulations governing the entry of foreign manufacturers. For example, RIM has been closed out from the South Korean market, leaving push-email junkies in the country unable to get a taste of the CrackBerry craze that’s swept up corporate types around the globe.
Well, following RIM CEO Jim Balsillie’s recent visit to South Korea’s Organization on Economic Cooperation and Development’s Ministerial Meeting on the Future Internet Economy, the South Korean government has relaxed its stance on RIM’s presence in the country. RIM has been granted entry to the high-tech market via corporate BlackBerry sales. That means RIM will be, for the first time, allowed to sell corporate fleets of BlackBerry handsets and service to businesses looking to keep their workforce continuously update and in the loop with real-time push email. It should be interesting to see how well RIM does in South Korea, given that most companies don’t issue mobile phones to their employees. Perhaps the BlackBerry craze will change all that.
There won’t be any sales to individuals, but if your South Korean company’s IT department sees fit, you can grab a BlackBerry sometime around July or August. Welcome to the BlackBerry craze, South Korea.
[Via: koreatimes]