SK becoming desperate for global breakthrough
By Kim Yoo-chul SK Telecom has struck out in its previous three attempts to establish a meaningful presence in international business. The country’s largest mobile phone carrier is confident that its multi-million dollar investment in the American online video service, Viki, is better positioned to yield successful results, but market observers remain skeptical. SK Planet, the carrier’s content and online commerce unit, recently confirmed plans to acquire a share in Viki as it attempts to tap into America’s lucrative Internet content market. ``SK Planet and Viki may combine for a productive partnership and the risks are hedged as other investors are involved,’’ said a SK Telecom official. ``We are renewing our approach to international markets and we believe we were too passive in the past.’’ SK Planet is entirely owned by SK Telecom. SK was forced to pull back from its investments in the mobile-phone markets of Vietnam and China after years of struggling. Helio, its wireless joint venture with U.S. carrier, Virgin Mobile, also flopped. SK Planet said it wil