Naver, Kakao bet on agentic AI to defend map stronghold
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 rep
Mar 10, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
![[PHOTO] Samsung rolls out Galaxy S26 series globally](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)