Google Maps is preparing to bring turn-by-turn navigation to South Korea, closing one of the most significant gaps in the app’s global coverage. The company is actively building out the team needed to make full navigation available in the country.
According to reporting, Google has hired a new “Strategic Partnerships Development Manager” to work alongside the Google Maps team on the rollout. That role involves coordinating with both private companies and public entities to get the service operational across South Korea.
Why Google Maps Is Limited in South Korea
While Google Maps already functions in South Korea, its capabilities there are restricted. Today, the app serves mainly as a hub for locations, reviews, and public transit directions. The turn-by-turn navigation that has made Google Maps so popular worldwide is not available in the country.
That limitation has affected adoption. Local competitors Naver Map and Kakao Map reportedly have as many as three times more users than Google’s app. Adding full navigation could help Google close that gap with domestic rivals.
In a brief statement, Google confirmed its intentions, saying the plan is to bring full-functioning Google Maps capabilities to Korea, including turn-by-turn directions.
Regulatory Approval and Data Conditions
The move follows a key regulatory decision. Earlier this year, the South Korean government approved Google’s request to use high-precision map data on overseas servers. That approval came with specific conditions attached.
Military and other sensitive facilities must be blurred in the mapping data. In addition, latitude and longitude coordinates will be disabled within the country. These requirements reflect long-standing concerns that have historically kept detailed navigation data from leaving South Korean servers.
With the regulatory groundwork in place and a dedicated hire now driving partnerships, Google is positioned to deliver the navigation features that Korean users have long lacked. The company has not yet announced a launch date for turn-by-turn navigation in South Korea.
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Image: 9to5google.com
