Taiwanese smartphone and tablet maker HTC will close its office in South Korea.

The South Korean market, which is dominated by homegrown players Samsung and LG, has proven too tough for HTC to crack. Its share has dropped from two per cent in 2011 to just one per cent in the first quarter of this year, according to estimates by analysts at Canalys.

By comparison, Samsung’s market share is estimated to be up to 70 per cent by this month driven by Galaxy S3 launch in the country.

“This is a hard decision that has direct impact on people who have contributed to the growth HTC has experienced the past several years,” said the company.

HTC said will continue to provide after sales service and customer service functions through its local operator partners SKT and KT, and will continue to honour all existing product warranties.

HTC had also closed its Brazil office several months ago. Its market share in Brazil stood at less than one per cent in this year’s first quarter.

GB