Microsoft backpedals on Korea threat

Microsoft is under investigation by the Korea Fair Trade Commission over anti-trust allegations

Microsoft has apparently stepped back from a threat to stop selling Windows in Korea.

A spokesman at the software giant's Korean office told the Yonhap news agency: " Microsoft has invested over $1bn in the Korean market so far, and every year Korean companies buy more than $100m worth of our products.

"In light of this, we have never thought of negative plans like withdrawing business or delaying Windows product launches."

The unnamed spokesman's comments to Yonhap were reported on Monday in local media.

Microsoft is currently under investigation by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) over anti-trust allegations. 

Daum Communications and Real Networks have complained that Microsoft's policy of bundling instant messaging and online media player software free-of-charge with Windows amounts to unfair competition with smaller companies selling similar applications.

Microsoft said last week that if the KFTC demands the removal of the offending applications from Windows, the company might be forced to withdraw the operating system from the Korean market, or delay release of new and updated versions.