Apple will open its first retail store in South Korea this year, according to a report on Friday (via Reuters).

The country's Yonhap News Agency said that construction was underway for a store in the southern district of Seoul and that work on the site would likely be completed by the end of November.

seoul

Image: Flickr

"We're excited about opening our first Apple Store in Korea, one of the world's economic centers and a leader in telecommunication and technology, with a vibrant K-culture," Apple told Reuters in a statement Friday.

"We're now hiring the team that will offer our customers in Seoul the service, education and entertainment that is loved by Apple customers around the world."

Yesterday, Apple listed hiring notices for 15 positions on its website, including a store leader and business manager. The exact location and start time for the jobs was omitted from the listings.

Apple's first Korean brick-and-mortar store will be in Samsung's back yard – the rival smartphone maker has its main headquarters in Suwon, about 13 miles south of the capital city.

Tags: Apple Store, South Korea

Top Rated Comments

Jashanno Avatar
Jashanno
103 months ago
A few Korean customers might be more open to trying something new than they would be otherwise. But the new generation of processors for Samsung S8's sound really sweet, so we shall see.
I went there recently for work. I was shocked at the number of iPhones that I saw people using.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kabeyun Avatar
Kabeyun
103 months ago
let's not confuse tech consumption with being tech-forward.
having everything under the sun is VERY costly for Samsung. If the Note 7 debacle costs them 6 billion in losses (according to Bloomberg) then thinning out their A series and Galaxy Series to just 3 models vs 10+ you'd see a HUGE gain in profits and revenues.

Let's see Micron or other RAM/Storage manufacturing compete in volume with Samsung over long periods of time so that Apple and ween themselves off of Samsung.
This is semantics on "tech-forward." I simply meant that use of personal tech has penetrated the South Korean population a lot.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Vjosullivan Avatar
Vjosullivan
103 months ago
and the supposed Apple Store for Singapore has been under construction for more than a year.
Much like the supposed HQ in CA.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
timborama Avatar
timborama
103 months ago
About 40-50% of Koreans use iPhones. You'd be surprised.
It is no where near that, I'd estimate 10-15% at best. Samsung is king there, 80%+, then the rest (LG, Huawei, Pantech, Apple, etc). But it is interesting to see EVERYONE with a phone, grannies talking on 6" phablets on the subway. Phones with retractable antennas with TV tuners for PnP viewing while playing WoW.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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