MS eyes Korea`s online video market

Microsoft Corp. is set to challenge its rival Google in Korea`s online video market with the launch of its localized video service, possibly next month.Microsoft Korea has launched a Korean-language beta version of MSN Video, which includes a user-generated video service, which is similar to Google`s YouTube.The site also offers news, sports and entertainment videos in partnership with local media firms."We expect to begin a MSN Video service (in Korean) next month," Yoon Shin-cheol, a PR official for Microsoft Korea, said, adding that the timeframe for the launch has not been finalized.U.S.-based Microsoft Corp. offers local versions of MSN Video in major markets such as the United States, Europe and Japan, Yonhap news said.Google Korea launched YouTube`s Korean-language site in January 2008, tapping into the nation`s growing online video-sharing market. YouTube Korea has since achieved rapid growth, posting a 66 percent rise in the number of visitors per month in the first half, but still falling behind its local rival Pandora.