"Google Demands South Korea’s Security Map... Local Companies Fight Back with Specialized Features"

By Eunbin Shin, News1 | April 6, 2025, 08:00 KST

While Google dominates the global map market, it is struggling to expand in South Korea due to the strong presence of local companies. These domestic firms are successfully holding their ground with map services tailored specifically to the Korean landscape and user needs.

According to the IT industry on the 6th, Google submitted a request to the South Korean government in February this year, seeking permission to export high-precision map data at a 1:5,000 scale abroad. The Korean government currently prohibits the export of such data for national security reasons.

Google argues that the absence of this high-precision data limits the functionality of Google Maps in South Korea. Currently, Google Maps only offers public transportation directions within the country and does not support walking or driving routes regardless of distance.

This is Google’s third request, following similar attempts in 2007 and 2016, both of which were rejected by the government.

Despite concerns about Google potentially dominating the local map market, South Korea presents an unusual landscape: the top three map services in terms of users are all operated by domestic companies.

According to Mobile Index, a mobile app analytics service, the most-used map app in February was Naver Map with 26.5 million monthly active users (MAU), holding a 70% market share. T Map followed with 14.36 million users (37.6%), and Kakao Map had 10.57 million users (27.6%). In contrast, Google Maps had only 8.84 million users (23.1%).

The success of local companies can be attributed to customized features designed for Korean users and geography. For example:

Naver Map displayed real-time roadblock information around the Constitutional Court during the impeachment verdict announcement of President Yoon Suk-yeol. These alerts were visible immediately upon opening the app, without needing to activate navigation.

During recent nationwide wildfires, Naver Map used red dashed lines and icons to indicate blocked roads, along with estimated end times and safety instructions.

Kakao Map introduced Korea’s first ultra-precise bus location service, especially useful in rural areas with infrequent bus schedules. Using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), the app updates bus locations every second with 10cm accuracy, including speed data.

It also offers an indoor map service for complex facilities like Noryangjin Fish Market, showing stall locations, menus, hours of operation, elevator and restroom positions, etc.

T Map provides real-time information on pop-up stores nationwide, viewable within a range of 5km to 30km based on current location. Users can see pop-up locations, operating periods, and even how many cars are currently en route to them.

An industry insider commented, “Local companies maintain their user base by reflecting the nuanced regional characteristics and continuously updating their services in real time.”