Exclusive: Naver Launches 'Balady+' Map App in Saudi Arabia

The Chosun Ilbo · Kim Kang-han · 2026-10-29 07:45 UTC

Exclusive: Naver Launches Balady+ Map App in Saudi Arabia South Korean company debuts first overseas map service, planning super app expansion with local features

Naver has launched a beta service for its map app in Saudi Arabia. This marks the first time a domestic portal company has provided map services overseas. Analysts suggest that competition with global players like Google in the overseas map market has now intensified.

An IT industry insider stated on the 29th, “We understand that the beta service for Naver’s Saudi map app ‘Balady+’ has been released across Saudi Arabia,” adding, “This is Naver’s first map service introduced in an overseas market.” The app includes features such as route navigation, location search, and public transportation information, and is available in both Arabic and English across Saudi Arabia.

Balady+ was developed by Naver Innovation, a joint venture between Naver Cloud and the Saudi National Housing Company (NHC). The term “Balady” translates to “My Country” in Arabic. The NHC had previously operated a government app under the same name, and Naver has now introduced a service to replace the app’s map functionality.

Read the full story at The Chosun Ilbo · All coverage of this story