Naver adds world map feature as Google's high-precision map export sparks industry alarm

Naver Maps has introduced a world map feature that lets users explore regions around the globe, not just South Korea.

The move is drawing close attention from the IT industry as a response to Google's push into the Korean mapping market. Earlier this year, Google received conditional government approval to export high-precision map data — at a scale of 1:5,000 — out of South Korea for the first time. While the government has said only data it has reviewed will be allowed out, industry concerns persist, with some warning that sensitive geographic information could be exposed. There are also growing fears that the domestic platform industry could become dependent on Google, a global tech giant.

Naver appears to be striking back by expanding its map service — long focused on the domestic market — to overseas regions.

According to industry sources Monday, the Naver Maps app added a world map function to its "Lab" section in mid-August. When users activate the feature in the Lab menu, they can access basic geographic information for regions outside Korea, including Japan, the United States and Europe.

The world map feature currently provides basic geographic and location data such as roads and place names in overseas regions. Naver said it is offering the service based on open-source data and is gauging user response. "We have released the world map feature in the Lab based on open-source data," a Naver official said.

Naver said it plans to explore adding place searches, navigation and reservations to the world map depending on future user demand. Major domestic map platforms such as Naver and Kakao currently center their services on location information within South Korea. Should Naver expand its world map to include overseas place searches and navigation, it would mark an unprecedented global service expansion for a domestic platform company.

"We are providing the service so that users traveling abroad can check basic geographic and location information," a Naver official said. "We will review expanding the features after assessing usability and user demand going forward."

This is not the first time Naver has lowered the barrier to its map service with a global audience in mind.

In June, Naver revamped its service to allow foreign users without a Korean phone number to verify their identity using only a passport, enabling them to make restaurant and activity reservations and complete payments through Naver Maps.

The update came amid persistent criticism during the Google map export debate that domestic map services were inconvenient for foreign users, and Naver moved to reduce the reservation and payment barriers facing international visitors.

The industry is paying close attention to the timing, noting that the moves follow the government's conditional approval in February of Google's application to export 1:5,000 high-precision map data — the first such approval in 18 years. The interpretation is that while Google has secured a foundation to strengthen its navigation and directions services in South Korea, Naver is now pushing back by using its world map feature to extend its own service reach overseas.

Meanwhile, as Google's mapping offensive began to take shape earlier this year, industry observers warned that the threat from global tech giants had grown beyond simple map services to encompass next-generation industries such as mobility. Detailed topographic data can serve as a technological foundation for autonomous driving, smart cities and digital twins. Research has even emerged suggesting that allowing Google to export Korean map data could cause up to 197 trillion won ($143 billion) in domestic economic losses over the next decade.