Software giant Microsoft has opened its first laboratory on mobile devices in South Korea in order to boost its research into that sector.

The U.S.-based giant plans to invest some 30 million dollars over the next three years in the "Microsoft Mobile Innovation Lab," which will spearhead research and development of technology for wireless devices.

Microsoft unveiled the plan on Monday in downtown Seoul during the laboratory's opening ceremony, which was attended by South Korea's Minister of Information and Communication.

The lab will be operated for three years with about 30 engineers, consisting of Microsoft employees as well as South Korean engineers that the American firm plans to recruit.