SEOUL, Nov. 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean handset maker LG Electronics Inc. is considering launching its latest Nexus 4 Android reference phone in the local market to meet growing demand for smartphones here, officials said Thursday.

"We are in talks with Google Inc. to release the Nexus 4 in South Korea," said an official from LG Electronics. "A decision will be made soon."

   The Nexus 4, equipped with Google's latest Android operating system and manufactured by LG Electronics, was released in the United States and Europe late last month but is not available in South Korea.