SK Telecom, South Korea’s top mobile carrier, will release the iPhone 4 in the local market in March, ending the exclusive distribution by its rival wireless operator, KT Corp., reports “Asia One Digital” (http://macte.ch/5gtm2), quoting an unnamed “industry source.”

“Negotiations between SK Telecom and Apple are in the final stage,” says the source. “As the negotiations are going smoothly, it is virtually decided that SK Telecom will launch the iPhone.”

SK Telecom declined to comment. KT Corp., the country’s No. 2 mobile carrier, introduced the iPhone in the domestic market in November 2009.