LG Electronics said Monday that it will expand the sales target for its premium 84-inch ultra-high-definition television from four countries to 40 countries by the end of 2012.

Currently the nation’s first and only ultra-HD TV, LG 84LM9600 was first launched at home in August and had its premiere in the U.S., China, Vietnam and Malaysia.

“The premium market is not so much affected by the recession. There are always people with money who want them (premium large TVs),” an LG spokesperson said, expressing optimism about the sales of the premium TV amid a global recession.

The ultra-HD product is larger and more lucid than any other high-definition TVs, he said.

According to the standard set by U.S.-based Consumer Electronics Association, an ultra-HD TV must have a resolution of at least 3,840 pixels horizontally and at least 2,160 pixels vertically.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)