Apple\'s South Korean distributor said Monday it would start taking preorders for the iPhone 4, seen here, this week before its official launch next month.

Apple\'s South Korean distributor said Monday it would start taking preorders for the iPhone 4 this week before its official launch next month.

KT Corporation said its stores and online shops would be available to receive orders for the popular smartphone from Wednesday.

"We hope the iPhone 4 will draw a hot response from clients as the iPhone 3 did," it said in a statement, adding that it would hit the market some time in September.

Apple has sold more than 850,000 iPhones in South Korea since the smartphone hit the local market nine months ago.

Local competitors such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have been striving to compete by introducing new smartphones including the Galaxy S and Optimus series.

South Korea\'s mobile phone market is one of the world\'s most vibrant, with 45 million users in a population of 49 million. But smartphones have a relatively small share, suggesting huge growth potential.