Microsoft Corp. is set to launch a beta version of MSN Video in Korean, possibly next month, The Korea Herald reported, according to the article posted on Asia Media.

The local version of MSN Video in Korea features a user-generated video service similar to Google's YouTube. In addition, Microsoft offers news, sports and entertainment videos on the site by partnering with local media firms.

This move is to compete against its rival Google in the online video market.

"We expect to begin a MSN Video service (in Korea) next month," said Yoon Shin-cheol, a PR official for Microsoft Korea. "The time frame for the launch has not been finalised," The Korea Herald reported.

Microsoft Corp. already has MSN Video in several local markets, including the United States, Europe and Japan.

Google Korea launched a localised YouTube site in January 2008 to tap into the growing Korean online video-sharing market. It has achieved rapid growth since then, with a 66 percent increase in the number of monthly visitors during the first half this year, though still lagging behind its local player Pandora, according to the article posted on Asia Media.