Leading map platforms are racing to reinforce their services with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven assistants, as the Korean government’s recent approval of Google’s long-sought request to export high-precision map data is expected to intensify competition in the location-based services market.

The government finally decided late last month to approve the U.S. tech giant’s request to transfer 1:5,000-scale map data overseas on condition of implementing additional safeguards.

The decision comes nearly two decades after Google made its first such request in 2007, and 10 years after its second request in 2016, both of which were rejected over national security concerns that sensitive facilities, such as military bases, could be exposed.

Under the conditions, Google is required to process raw maps on a domestic partner’s servers and export only limited navigation layers, use security-processed imagery with military sites blurred, while allowing Seoul to halt exports if it breaches the conditions.

The 1:5,000-scale map, which allows higher precision with 1 centimeter on the map representing 50 meters in the real world, is widely considered critical spatial infrastructure for services ranging from navigation to autonomous driving and location-based AI.

The recent approval is expected to reshape Korea’s mapping ecosystem, long dominated by homegrown platforms, Naver Map and Kakao Map. Without access to detailed local data, Google Maps has operated with limited functionality in the country, particularly in providing full turn-by-turn navigation.

Once Google begins offering full navigation features in Korea, it could attract not only domestic users switching from local platforms but also foreign visitors. As of January, Naver Map had 28.8 million monthly active users, followed by Kakao Map with 12.6 million and Google Maps with 9.98 million.

Screenshots of ChatGPT for Kakao / Courtesy of Kakao

Google has already integrated its Gemini generative AI model into Google Maps overseas, enhancing its functionality and personalization. In response, Naver and Kakao are stepping up their AI strategies to secure their share in the market.

Naver plans to unveil a unified AI assistant, Agent N, starting with its shopping services within the first half of this year, before expanding integration into its map platform. The assistant is expected to analyze users’ schedules, locations and search histories to design optimal routes and handle reservations in one step.

Meanwhile, Kakao is gearing up to officially launch Kanana, an agent-style AI feature, in its flagship messenger platform KakaoTalk in the first quarter, after running a closed beta test since last October.

When a user asks the AI for restaurant or venue ideas, the feature will provide recommendations directly in the chat window, and the user can book reservations for businesses listed on KakaoTalk’s reservation platform instantly with the touch of a button.

The company also rolled out ChatGPT for Kakao last October in partnership with OpenAI, linking user queries to its services such as Kakao Map, KakaoTalk Reservations and KakaoTalk Gifts. When the user asks a location-related question, the feature routes the query to Kakao Map to show relevant places and details.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/business/tech-science/20260310/naver-kakao-bet-on-agentic-ai-to-defend-map-stronghold