Naver, the country's leading web search engine, on Dec. 30 launched an online map guide for foreign tourists. Shown is a screenshot of the service for finding Gyeongbokgung Palace with Naver Map. (Naver)

By Yoon Sojung

The country's leading domestic web search portal has launched an online section in three foreign languages to raise the convenience of foreign visitors to Korea through a map app.

Naver on Dec. 30 announced its opening of Naver Map Usage Guide (https://mkt.naver.com/navermapapp) to raise convenience for such tourists.

Offered in English, Chinese and Japanese, the guide shows in detail how to search for the best destinations and use public transportation.

Naver Map is the country's lone service of its kind available in four languages: Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. Foreign users can access information on not just places they want to go but also visitor reviews through text, photos and videos.

They can also get to their desired spots using information on real-time public transportation arrivals and departures, subway route maps, boarding and disembarking times, and alternative means of transit.

Naver plans to create a leaflet to help more foreign tourists use the guide and distribute it at places frequented by such visitors such as the tourism information center at Incheon International Airport, information booth at the airport railway station and welcome center of the Myeong-dong shopping district in downtown Seoul.

By next year, the portal will also upgrade the location-specific large language model to boost accuracy and convenience of searches in other languages and create an environment for foreign users to more easily make reservations for restaurants and performances.

"We will promote the map's usability through diverse channels so that international visitors to Korea can travel more conveniently with just Naver Map." Naver Map head Choi Seunglak said. "We will also partner up with influencers abroad to raise our recognition to help foreign users utilize Naver Map from the trip preparation stage."

arete@korea.kr