Google and Daum teaming up in Korea?
Daum Communications could partner with Google on search-related keyword advertising, putting Daum's deal with Yahoo Search Marketing, formerly Overture, at risk, according to ZDNet Korea.
A Daum official told ZDNet Korea that it had no comment. "When it's right, we will make the statement," Daum official Jaewoong Lee said.
"Overture also stated 'Presently, we are still in talks and have not reached agreement on extending a contract yet,' but we should know for sure by the end of this year when the contract expires," the article says.
Google spokeswoman Eileen Rodriquez said in an e-mail to CNET News.com in the U.S.: "We're continually exploring opportunities to develop relationships with other Korean companies in all areas of our business, but we don't have anything further to announce at this time."
Google recently named Namu Communications as its newest AdWords reseller in Korea, she confirmed. Namu is a subsidiary of Daum.
Elinor Mills covers Internet security and privacy. She joined CNET News in 2005 after working as a foreign correspondent for Reuters in Portugal and writing for The Industry Standard, the IDG News Service, and the Associated Press. E-mail Elinor. 
