The South Korean government is reportedly planing to develop a new open source operating system for smartphones.
According to a report on the Yahoo Contributors Network, the move comes within weeks of the Google-Motorola deal to provide an alternative to Google’s Android platform.
Two of the major smartphone makers – Samsung and LG – are based in South Korea. Both the companies use the Android platform in their smartphones, but have raised concerns after Google acquired Motorola Mobility.
The report quoted deputy minister Kim Jae-hong saying, "Samsung had been very negative about joint development of an open OS, but its stance changed greatly after the Google-Motorola merger."
Earlier this month, Google purchased Motorola Mobility in a deal worth $12.5bn.
The search giant said that the move will enable it to "supercharge" the Android ecosystem and boost its patent portfolio, protecting it from threats from Microsoft and Apple.
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The deal prompted concerns about whether Motorola will get preferential treatment over other Android phone makers such as Samsung and HTC.
The deal also sparked speculation that other handset manufactures such as Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony Ericsson could be tempted to switch sides to other platforms such as Windows Phone.
Last week, Nokia CEO and former Microsoft employee Stephen Elop said that the deal should be worrying for Android phone makers.
Speaking at a Helsinki seminar, Elop said: "If I happened to be someone who was an Android manufacturer or an operator, or anyone with a stake in that environment, I would be picking up my phone and calling certain executives at Google and say ‘I see signs of danger ahead.’"
