A South Korean rival, Naver, has the most users.
Two months ago, it started negotiating to buy Hynix, a struggling South Korean rival.
Samsung, a once-inferior South Korean rival, has embarrassed Sony by leaping ahead in flat-panel televisions.
Not to be outdone by its Korean rival, LG launched arguably one of the bravest flagship Android smartphones to date.
But it faces fierce competition from Apple's iPad and iPhone as well as from its powerful South Korean rival Samsung.
But last year, Shanghai dethroned its Korean rival and assumed the title of the busiest container port in Northeast Asia.
Nippon Steel, the biggest Japanese steel maker, and its South Korean rival Posco are under pressure to reach similar deals.
Toyota's South Korean rival, Hyundai Motor, posted a surprise quarterly profit drop last month as a stronger won hurt its overseas earnings.
The years since have been less triumphant, as Ando struggled to keep up with her compatriot Mao Asada and with Kim, their South Korean rival.
Daewon has one major Korean rival, the Minjok Leadership Academy, three hours' drive east of Seoul, which also has a spectacular record of admission to Ivy League colleges.
Apple is seeking to stay ahead of its South Korean rival Samsung, which is challenging Apple for the crown of the company selling the most smartphones worldwide.
