Apple Launches Second Store In South Korea

Apple Inc. will open its second official outlet store in South Korea on Friday.

In a post, Apple said it would open a new store in Yeouido, Western Seoul, this Friday, February 26.

Despite being dominated by local tech giant Samsung Electronics Co, the US tech giant expands its presence in the country.

Visitors that have prior reservations are the only one can enter the store and will follow health and safety measures due to the presence of the coronavirus pandemic. The same measures are being imposed in Apple's first store in Garosugil in Gangnam, southern Seoul.

Since its release, the new iPhone 12 series has sold around 600,000 models, having the same sale record as South Korea's bestselling smartphone model this year, the Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S20 series.

Apple Inc. is expected to bolster its South Korean market, which Samsung holds a tight grip over.

Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's Senior Vice President of Retail and People, in a statement, said that the Korean customers' passion and enthusiasm is the inspiration for the company.

"We are honored to continue our expansion in Seoul, having more than doubled the size of our team since opening in Garosugil, and we cannot wait to welcome our first visitors to Apple Yeouido on Saturda," Deirdre O'Brien said.

According to market researcher Counterpoint Research, Apple is projected to account for 22 percent of the local smartphone market this year.

Samsung Electronics seized a 72.3 percent market share of the local smartphone market as of the third quarter this 2020, while Apple at 8.9 percent, according to the research.

Meanwhile, Apple Inc. is expected to open its third store in the country this August, and the store is currently under construction in Myeongdong, central Seoul, according to local reports.

The first Apple store in South Korea was opened in 2018.