[v0cab]

> Why can't they let their products sell and speak for themselves?

The original iPhone was banned in South Korea for two years. It seems that this was to give South Korean companies a chance to catch up.

[AndrewDucker]

I can't find any reference to this. Could you point me at a source please?

[malenm]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125367616595333125.html

[AndrewDucker]

Fascinating - thank you!

[jkn]

Note that the policy of protecting local cell phone manufacturers predates the iPhone (according to malenm's reference).