Sony will launch its PlayStation 3 with an 80-gigabyte (GB) hard disk drive on June 16 in South Korea for 518,000 won ($556), offering the upgraded version of its latest game console for the first time ever. Sony is ready to offer the 80-GB version in other regions if demand emerges, the Tokyo-based company said.

Since online games are highly popular in South Korea, Sony has decided to put extended storage capacity in the PS3 to allow active downloading of games and other entertainment content, it said.

Sony currently offers 20-GB and 60-GB versions in Japan, but only sells the 60-GB model in Europe. In North America, it is discontinuing the lower capacity version and focusing on the 60-GB model.

Sony's game division posted an operating loss of 232 billion yen ($1.9 billion) in the year ended March 31 due mainly to hefty costs to launch the PS3, making the performance of the new console the largest risk factor for Sony's earnings recovery.