Microsoft eyes closer ties

A senior Microsoft executive met with the nation’s telecommunications regulator yesterday to discuss ways of expanding ties with Korea by collaborating on new businesses that may include building a data center, government officials said.

Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft’s international business, met Choi See-joong, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, in Seoul to talk about the U.S. company’s investment opportunities in the country, as well as measures to forge collaborations with local companies, the commission said.

Microsoft is reviewing several options to expand its presence in the country and set up a cloud computing business in the fledgling market given its strong potential. Cloud computing covers services such as data processing and online data storage by mobile devices and computers.

The U.S. company said it is now considering building and operating a data center in Korea.