Apple confirmed that it is planning on opening its first retail outlet it South Korea, the home turf of the company’s primary competitor and rival Samsung, the Cupertino-based company said in a statement to Reuters on Friday.
On Thursday, the American tech giant listed hiring notices on its website for 15 various positions.Roles include “Store Leader,” “Senior Manager,” and a gig working at the Apple Store’s famous Genius Bar. While the listings were in fact confirmed, they did not specify an exact location as to where the store might be located or when those hired would begin working.
“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 said in a statement.
“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,” the statement added.
Korean media had previously reported that Apple’s corporate headquarters in Cupertino had signed three long-term lease contracts for land in Garosu Road, Sinsa-dong, in the trendy Gangnam District in Seoul.
Apple has been trying to expand its presence in Asia — especially China and India — with mixed success. Making inroads in South Korea is likely to be tougher, even if Samsung is still enduring fallout from its exploding Note 7 smartphones. Samsung is one of the country’s vitally important conglomerates, or “chaebols,” selling everything from washing machines to heavy equipment and life insurance.
