The iPhone is Apple's blockbuster mobile gadget that is a hybrid phone, music player and full Internet browser. It has become hugely popular worldwide since its US launch in June, but there has been no plan announced about sales in Korea and other Asian nations.
"We have been trying to bring the iPhone here, but we have to wait," Cho told The Korea Times after attending the iMobicon 2007 conference held at COEX in Seoul.
He said that the firm is waiting on Apple's decision.
"The deal is up to the supplier, not us. Because the [Korean] market is so small, they will not release it until they have confidence in its marketability here."
Apple is likely to give exclusive rights to the iPhone to a single Korean firm as it has picked one firm per country. In the United States, AT&T is the sole iPhone provider. Apple also awarded the right to O2 in Britain, Orange in France and T-Mobile in Germany, according to a Financial Times report Wednesday. KTF has been considered the strongest candidate to become Apple's wireless partner in South Korea since the firm is eager to catch up with its stronger rival, SK Telecom.
Apple Korea's spokesperson Park Jung-hoon refused to confirm the talks, saying it is against company policy to comment on ongoing events. He only said Apple is considering selling the iPhone in Asian nations from early next year.
The launch of the iPhone here could change many things in the Korean mobile industry.