• The Next Web, Monday, November 7, 2011 1:30 PM

Moving on to the Far East, Google is eying a “large and substantial” investment in South Korea’s Internet space this week, The Next Web notes, citing a report in The Korea Times. Coinciding with a visit from Chairman Eric Schmidt, Google reportedly plans to advance acquisition talks with Daum, Korea’s second most popular search engine -- which, as TNW mentions, raised anti-trust allegations against Google earlier this year.

“Google has trailed the company -- and market leader Naver -- since it came to the country in 2004, and [rumor] of a deal shows no sign of abating after Google refused to comment on the speculation,” TNW writes.

Acquisition or not, some sort of announcement is expected by Tuesday. What else could Google have to talk about?

“Schmidt has big plans for the trip which Google describes as ‘more than just a diplomatic gesture,’” writes TNW. “With an itinerary packed full of meetings with Internet, technology and mobile firms within the country, Schmidt is focused on developing the company in a number of areas in Korea. Mobile is tipped to be a major focus of Schmidt’s visit.”

Google has already expressed an interest in promote the Android OS in the regain. “Despite struggling with search in the country, Google’s Android mobile operating system (OS) has made significant progress,” TNW adds.

Read the whole story at The Next Web »