BlackBerry has officially re-entered the Korean market with the launch of its Priv handset, after pulling out three years ago. This was confirmed by the company's spokesman, who also added that the company has no plans to set up regional offices, something it did last time.

The handset is priced at 598,000 won ($534) in Korea, which is still incredibly steep. It is only a matter of time before the Canadian firm launches its second Android phone, the DTEK50.

"It is BlackBerry's first smartphone launched in South Korea since it pulled out of the Korean market three years ago. The launch of the Priv smartphone in the Korean market came as foreign smartphone makers, such as Japan's Sony and China's Huawei, are seeking to gain market shares in the country's medium-range smartphone market. The retail price for the Priv smartphone, which was unveiled last year, was set at 598,000 won (US$534) in South Korea," said Yonhap News Agency.