Apple Inc said it was planning to open a retail store in South Korea, its first in the country that is home to its smartphone archrival Samsung Electronics Co Ltd . "We're excited about opening our first Apple Store in Korea, one of the world's economic centers and a leader in telecommunication and technology, with a vibrant K-culture," Apple told Reuters in a statement Friday. "We're now hiring the team that will offer our customers in Seoul the service, education and entertainment that is loved by Apple customers around the world." Apple declined to comment on where in Seoul its retail store would be or when it would open.