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Map platforms in South Korea

From Tilcayo Cats, the lean encyclopaedia by Tilcayo Knowledge Systems

Map platforms have been operated by numerous domestic and foreign companies in South Korea. As of 2025, South Korean map services had limited language support, while available international options lacked features.[1][2] Foreign map providers have been criticized in South Korea for their labeling choices.

Domestic providers

Domestic providers of map applications include Kakao, Naver, and SK.

Kakao

KakaoMap provides navigation through Kakao Navi,[3] which was launched in February 2016 through the acquisition of Kimgisa.[4] Kakao Navi began supporting voice commands in October 2018.[5] As of 2025, KakaoMap had partnered with Korea Airports Corporation to offer navigation inside major airports.[6] As of 2026, KakaoMap was experimenting with a cherry blossom bloom timing map.[7] In September 2026, the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority announced the addition of coastal passenger ferry location tracking to KakaoMap.[8]

Naver Maps added navigation features in December 2015.[9] In December 2017, Naver linked its "Naver i" voice assistant to its map service.[10] In September 2024, Naver Maps began providing real-time information on natural disasters from the Korea Meteorological Administration.[11]

SK

TMAP became free to the public in 2016.[12] In September 2017, Nugu voice assistant support was added to TMAP.[13] As of 2024, BMW and Mercedes-Benz had decided to use TMAP in their future vehicles.[14]

Foreign providers

Foreign map applications in South Korea include Google Maps and Apple Maps.

Permission for Google and Apple to export detailed data has been delayed repeatedly based on national security regulations.[15][16][17] As of 2025, Apple Maps provided walking navigation in South Korea without exporting official data. However, information on features such as crosswalks, stairs, and underpasses was missing.[18]

Google and Apple have been criticized in the country for using alternative names to "Dokdo."[19][20] In 2022, the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea pressured Apple into correcting its indication of the Heaven Lake border.[21]

Usage statistics

Domestic map app usage (millions)
App Monthly active users
Naver Map
26.5
T Map
14.4
KakaoMap
10.6
Google Maps
8.8

As of February 2025[22]

References

  1. ↑ Moon, Joon-hyun (2023-08-14). "K-culture brings tourists in, but K-maps leave them wandering". The Korea Herald (in 한국어). Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  2. ↑ Lee, Gyu-lee (2025-04-18). "Local maps gain popularity, but leave foreigners unsatisfied". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  3. ↑ Sohn, Ji-young (2018-01-25). "[PyeongChang 2018] Alternative apps to Google Maps for Winter Olympics". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  4. ↑ Shin, Ji-hye (2016-07-28). "Kakao expands transport services". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  5. ↑ Sohn, Ji-young (2018-10-17). "Kakao Navi app gets AI makeover with upgraded voice commands". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  6. ↑ Jie, Ye-eun (2025-04-27). "Naver, Kakao bolster map services to counter Google's data export push". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  7. ↑ Lee, Gyu-lee (2026-05-12). "Local map platforms rush upgrades as Google Maps eyes expansion". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  8. ↑ Kim, Seong-guk (2026-09-15). "Kakao Maps to show real-time ferry locations by the second". The Herald Business. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
  9. ↑ "Naver adds navigation function to its map app". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2015-12-03. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  10. ↑ "Search Naver at your voice command". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  11. ↑ Yonhap (2024-09-15). "Naver Map starts providing natural disaster information". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  12. ↑ Lee, Ji-yoon (2016-07-06). "SKT offers free navigation app to take on KakaoNavi". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  13. ↑ "Navigation apps race to add AI". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  14. ↑ Lee, Min-hyung (2024-02-27). "Why foreign carmakers are adopting local navigation service". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  15. ↑ Kim, Tong-hyung (2008-11-25). "Google Maps Make Korean Debut - The Korea Times". www.koreatimes.co.kr. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  16. ↑ Jie, Ye-eun (2025-06-18). "Apple joins Google in push to export Korea's high-precision map data". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  17. ↑ Moon, Joon-hyun (2026-04-19). "Google map export stalls 2 months after Korea's conditional approval". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  18. ↑ Moon, Joon-hyun (2025-05-17). "Why Google Maps is still broken in South Korea: It might not be about national security anymore". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  19. ↑ "VANK to take on Apple, Google over Dokdo". The Korea Herald. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  20. ↑ Hyeong-woo, Kan (2022-08-25). "Dokdo unlabeled on Apple Maps in 22 countries". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  21. ↑ Kwon, Mee-yoo (2022-07-22). "Apple corrects map after VANK's protest over ownership of Mount Paektu - The Korea Times". www.koreatimes.co.kr. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  22. ↑ https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10684189
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