South Korean mobile messenger Kakao Talk will expand beyond messaging service with plans to open an online music and electronic book store next year.

To be named ‘Kakao Page’ the store will provide a platform for writers, artists and musicians to sell their songs, music videos and books to Kakao Talk users.

Kakao Talk, which has 66 million users, was launched in 2010. The move into e-tailing is aimed at enhancing profitability.

When launched, Kakao Page will be initially made available in South Korea where about half of its users are based.

The company says it is looking for business partnerships in the US where there are huge number of smartphone users.

“Google would be nice and Facebook will be nice as well,” said founder and chairman Brian Kim.

The company has been making efforts to boost its customer base. It sold 50 per cent stake in Kakao Japan to Yahoo Japan last month.

GB