Google expanded its AdWords paid search advertising platform into Korean, the 16th language for the program, the company said last week.
The search giant also signed a distribution deal with South Korean portal KTH HanMir to use its algorithmic search and paid listings. Google said advertisers now could sign up for AdWords through a Korean-language setup system. Advertisers can pay in South Korean currency. Google rolled out a similar system for Chinese-speaking advertisers last month.
Google competes in South Korea with Yahoo's Overture Services, which distributes its paid listings on top Korean portal giant Daum and other sites. Overture launched in South Korea last April, boasting a 92 percent reach in the market.
With about 30 million Internet users, South Korea has the world's deepest Internet penetration rate at 66 percent, according to South Korean government figures.
