According to a report by Metro UK, South Korean investigators have raided Apple’s offices in Seoul this week, asking questions about its business practices ahead of tomorrow’s iPhone X launch. The publication notes it is being speculated that the local authorities are trying to hamper the success of the iPhone X, Apple’s latest flagship phone which has sold out all over the world.
Although South Korea is home to tech giants like Samsung and LG, Apple’s products are wildly popular. The country’s anti-trust agency has been exhibiting alarming behaviour in recent years, that threatens the viability of companies doing business in South Korea, including major American firms such as Apple, Google, Intel and Microsoft.
Roger Kay, president of the tech analysis firm Endpoint Technologies Associates, previously accused South Korea of having a ‘protectionist agenda’.
“Last year, South Korea opened an investigation in a bid to discover whether Apple struck ‘unfair’ contracts with local phone networks. It’s understood the latest raid is part of this ongoing probe, which was launched just months after the American firm took action to address officials’ concern about other ‘unfair’ contracts with South Korean firms commissioned to repair iPhones and other gadgets.”
Meanwhile, Samsung recently launched a scheme for South Koreans called ‘Upgrade To Galaxy’ offering up to 10,000 iPhone users a one-month trial of the Galaxy Note 8 or Galaxy S8.
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Is this South Korea’s equivalent to Trump’s “America First”? They’d be better off slapping on a 100% import tax since Trump is opting out of all trade treaties.
Yeah… Apple needs to get their lawyers on this.
How about we stop buying all those Korean cars and let’s see what happens……
Many countries talk free trade but so long as they come out the winner. Sounds familiar? South Korea is playing the ridiculous Trump (“America First”) card.