Korean Mobile Carriers To Release Apple's iPad 2 This Week

SEOUL, April 28 (Bernama) -- SK Telecom Co. and KT Corp., the two largest mobile carriers in South Korea, said Thursday that they will launch the iPad 2, Apple Inc.'s latest version of its tablet computer, this week in the local market, Yonhap news agency reported.

SK Telecom and KT said they will both start selling the iPad 2 tablet computer starting Friday.

The iPad 2, which features a lighter and thinner body than its predecessor, will be available at the starting price of 640,000 won (US$594), according to Apple's Korean Web site.

KT, which first introduced the iPhone in South Korea in 2009 and was the sole mobile carrier to retail the first version of the iPad, faces stiffer competition from its bigger rival SK Telecom, which began selling the iPhone last month.

SK Telecom added that it has started selling the white iPhone 4, after Apple pushed back its release date, citing unexpected manufacturing challenges.