Naver is expanding the coverage of its 3D virtual exploration feature, 'Flying View 3D', across its map application to all of Seoul, as it moves to enhance the spatial exploration experience.

Naver said on Thursday it has expanded Flying View 3D across all of Seoul. The service recreates real-world spaces such as landmarks, natural scenery and historic sites in three dimensions.

In October last year, Naver introduced Flying View 3D for 10 attractions nationwide, including Cheomseongdae in Gyeongju, COEX in Seoul, Songdo Central Park in Incheon, Jeonju Hanok Village and BEXCO in Busan. Flying View 3D lets users experience major attractions in South Korea as if looking down from the sky, drawing strong interest from foreign tourists visiting Korea and users planning domestic travel. During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting period last year, usage of Flying View 3D rose more than 2.2 times from the post-launch average, and usage continued to increase in May, the spring outing season.

With the update, users can explore all of Seoul, including major city landmarks, in a more three-dimensional and vivid way on Naver Map. In the Naver Map application, users can view all of Seoul through Flying View 3D by selecting image markers applied to key areas and places such as Yeouido 63 Square, Jamsil Sports Complex and the National Assembly building.

Flying View 3D for all of Seoul was produced based on 'S-Map' data built on Naver Labs' digital twin technology and high-resolution aerial images shot by drones. Naver Map applied an upgraded in-house 3D map engine to support more stable and natural spatial exploration. Naver Labs previously worked with the Seoul metropolitan government in 2019 to implement all of Seoul in 3D based on its digital twin technology, the 'ALIKE' solution.

Naver Map plans to expand Flying View 3D coverage to Seongsan Ilchulbong in Jeju, Wolmido in Incheon and the Yeosu Expo, and to broaden service entry points so users can access Flying View 3D more easily. It also plans to strengthen links between Street View 3D and Flying View 3D so users can seamlessly view three-dimensional real-world spaces from various angles across the air and the ground.

Jeong Kyung-hwa (정경화), a Naver Map leader, said Naver Map provides more than 30 million monthly users with new spatial experiences by vividly connecting real space and digital as a map closest to reality. She said the company will continue various experiments so users can check diverse information and content related to places in 3D space.