iPhone fans in South Korea have waited for almost a year to own the Apple device. Korea Telecom Freetel (KTL), the second largest network carrier in South Korea with more than 12 million subscribers finally is bringing the iPhone reports The Korea Times.

It is likely that the launch will not make for Christmas though KTF is eager about early launch. The date of iPhone launch here solely depends on how fast the Korea Communications Commission scrap the Wireless Platform for Interoperability (WIPI) rules. WIPI is the domestic software standard required for mobile handsets with mobile data capability. WIPI requirements make it hard for foreign mobile manufacturers to enter the South Korean mobile market, a stringent trade barrier.

A KTF official ruled out the possibility of launching the iPhone before Christmas:

There is no need for us to call it impossible, but releasing iPhone within December would indeed be a huge challenge.

Apple had no intention of releasing WIPI enabled handset, hence this delay. For KTF, the launch of iPhone 3G will be the best chance to compete with SK Telecom in wooing 3G customers. SK Telecom, South Korea’s biggest wireless carrier is all set to launch Samsung Omnia and another BlackBerry handset in mid-November and end of December respectively. Early launch of the iPhone 3G is crucial for KTF and a welcome note for iPhone fans who all have waited for so long.