Microsoft targets Korea with extended partnership

In a bid to expand its presence in the lucrative Korean market, Microsoft has signed a memorandum of understanding with KT Corporation, a Seoul-based provider of broadband and telecom services. The deal represents the second phase of a relationship originally established in December 2001.

Under the terms of the understanding, which calls for the possible creation of a joint research and business development centre in Korea, the companies will collaborate on communications technologies and services tailored for the Korean market.

In addition, the firms are considering forming a joint fund through which the centre could access third-party content, technologies and external human resources.

Finally, the partners plan to participate in an employee exchange programme to include seminars and training in various business areas.

Maria Martinez, corporate vice president for the communications sector at Microsoft, said: "This relationship combines the respective strengths of KT Corporation in network infrastructure and Microsoft in software solutions."

Since establishing the alliance in 2001, the pair have collaborated on several projects including Bizmeka, which provides web-based applications support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and Nespot, which uses Microsoft wireless network support applications.