South Korean Team Named The Fastest Texters in the World

NEW YORK, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in mobile communications, announced today that Yeong-Ho Bae, 18, and Mok-Min Ha, 17, of South Korea, defeated a host of challengers to become the world texting champions at the LG Mobile World Cup in New York City. Using the latest LG mobile devices, the lightning-thumbed Team Korea prevailed in a series of tests of speed and accuracy to be crowned world texting champions and win USD 100,000.

Having earned the right to compete at the World Cup by winning their national title, the 13 two-person teams traveled to New York to engage in five rounds of intense team and individual events. All contestants texted in their native language using two of LG's current mobile phones: the LG BL20, which has a numeric keypad, and the LG GW520, which features a QWERTY keyboard.

"Every moment of every round was incredibly intense," said winner Bae. "I'm thankful for this win but also for the opportunity to meet new friends from different countries in one of the most exciting cities in the world."

Morgan Dynda and Kate Moore from the United States placed second winning USD 20,000, and Juan Ignacio Aufranc and Agustina Montegna from Argentina took third place and USD 10,000. In addition to the main competition, the players attempted to set a new Guinness World Records® record for fastest texting, using the LG enV3 handset. Pedro Matias, 27, from Portugal set a new record by typing a 264-character text in just 1 minute 59 seconds, shaving 23 seconds off the previous record set by Finland's Arttu Harkki in 2005.

In a nod to how far phones have come, the record-setting text read: The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell (UK), who filed his patent for the telephone on 14 February 1876 at the New York Patent Office, USA. The first intelligible call occurred in March 1876 in Boston, Massachusetts, when Bell phoned his assistant in a nearby room and said "Come here Watson, I want you." 

"All the contestants at the World Cup are at the cutting edge of mobile technology and the earliest to embrace the latest mobile trends," said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "LG remains committed to providing them with the smartest technology that fits their lifestyles."

Launched to celebrate mobile culture and advances in mobile technology, the LG Mobile World Cup has become the world's premier mobile festival, expanding from four participating countries in 2008 to 13 in 2010. Between May and November 2009, qualifying rounds were held in the United States, Canada, Indonesia, Portugal, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Korea, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Altogether, more than 6 million people took part in the LG Mobile World Cup in 2009.

For more information on the LG Mobile World Cup in New York, please visit http://www.lgmobileworldcup.com.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 84,000 people working in 115 operations including 84 subsidiaries around the world. With 2008 global sales of $44.7 billion, LG comprises of five business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both A Global Partner of Formula 1™ and A Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company

The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lge.com.

SOURCE LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc.