“Smart” is no longer an unfamiliar word in Korea especially two years after the iPhone was introduced in the country.

Since the iPhone was released on Nov. 28, 2009, unveiling what we call the smartphone for the first time, a series of smart devices ― such as tablet PCs, televisions, refrigerators and vehicles ― have been released.

A number of smartphones developed by local companies Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have also been rolling in and out of the country following the popularity of the iPhone.

As the figure of smartphone owners recently topped the 20 million mark, social networking services like Twitter and Facebook were put to use, increasing communication channels for many people and firms.

With smartphones, people could check their e-mails and browse the internet while they are on-the-go and use social messengers to interact with their friends and colleagues using Wi-Fi and third-generation networks, instead of making voice calls or sending text messages.

“I believe the smartphone business in Korea has shown sharp growth largely due to how it was affected by the research and development efforts of Apple’s iPhone,” said an industry source.

Samsung Electronics, for example, was able to dominate the global smartphone market in the third quarter of this year with its Galaxy series after attempting to measure up with the iPhone. The company was six months late in unveiling its gadget running on Google’s Android mobile platform, but it came through with the device which is now selling worldwide.

The introduction of the iPhone and Apple Inc. also sent Korea a message that it was not only hardware that was important, but also the software, including contents.

The country has two leading mobile makers, which are also well-known globally, but does not have a mobile operating system that could be a match to those devices. That is the main reason Samsung and LG Electronics are continuing their efforts to maintain a good relationship with U.S. software giants like Google and Microsoft.

“The nation, including the government and the industry, began to realize the need for software development, but the planning and implementation of the plan are the next two critical steps to practice,” said an industry source who wished to remain anonymous.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)