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Microsoft wants level playing field in Korea: Ballmer


Microsoft Corp. chief executive Steve Ballmer said yesterday that the Korean government should devise a software policy that is neutral and open, and that does not favor a specific type of technology.
Currently, Korea, China and Japan are developing an operating system based on Linux, designed for personal computer users. Korea has faced criticism from U.S. technology giant Qualcomm for unilaterally setting a national standard for wireless Internet service.
Mr. Ballmer, speaking at a press conference with Minister of Information and Communication Chin Dae-je, said the purpose of his visit here also was to identify new trends and find out what the company could do to contribute to the Korean information market. "We hope that by establishing a close working relationship with Korean companies we can become partners in bringing the digital revolution earlier than anyone expects," he said.
Mr. Chin said that Microsoft was currently considering setting up a Korean research and development center.
Microsoft Korea and the Korea Agency for Digital Opportunity and Promotion agreed to cooperate to reduce the domestic information gap, with Microsoft planning to invest 10 billion won ($8.7 million) in the next three years in this area.
Regional information technology education centers will be established by the U.S. software giant at major colleges and social centers across the nation. It also plans to support the agency with software for any business project the agency is pursuing, and will support its dispatch of information technology advisers to developing nations.
Microsoft has spent 95 billion won on information technology-related projects in 50 countries, such as the information library it opened in Beijing last year.
Mr. Ballmer also met with Korean business leaders, including Choi Tae-won, president of SK Group, and Lee Yong-Kyung, chief executive of KT, to discuss how to improve cooperation on the wireless platform technology used in cell phones, an area that Microsoft sees as a strategic business.
Mr. Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 and became chief executive in January 2000.


by Chung Sun-gu <[e-mail]>

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200407/01/200407012252598239900090609061.html