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SEOUL, Aug. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — After gaining success on the basis of specific area-centered services, a string of apps are being transformed into so-called “super apps.”
South Korea’s largest car-sharing and mobility service provider SOCAR Inc. is preparing to launch a super app that can offer all-in-one services covering not only car sharing but also electric bikes, parking services and KTX bullet train ticket booking.
SOCAR CEO Park Jae-wook said in a press conference held last week that the company would ultimately grow into a service encompassing everything related to mobility.
Viva Republica Inc., the company behind popular financial app Toss, acquired a 100 percent stake in mobile virtual network operator Merchant Korea for about 10 billion won (US$7.66 million) at the end of last month.
This move is a part of its efforts to add a mobile virtual network service to its super app, which enables money transfers, securities, insurance and banking services in a single app.
Meanwhile, travel platform operator Yanolja Co. added an exhibition reservation function to its app at the end of last month.
Starting as a hotel and motel booking app, Yanolja has steadily added other functions, including reservations for plane tickets, train tickets and car rentals, as well as searches for well-known restaurants famed for the quality of their food.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
