Google has announced it will offer Korean internet users a new search engine service that is specifically targeted towards their tastes.The overhaul of its Korean-language search engine, which was revealed during a news conference, is an attempt to broaden the company's appeal in the country.
Under the changes, Google will reshape its search service into a universal, categorised, graphic-rich style. It also said that it will consider adopting the style in other countries.
International project manager Jung Ki-hyun stated: "This is not a Korea-only project. All of Google has been involved in this project and we are thinking of adopting the same system to other language versions," the Korean Times reports.
The publication went on to say that the enhancement of its Korean services is an attempt by Google to go after the country's domestic portal sites, such as Nate and Naver, which prefer to show more images and graphics in their search results.
According to Lee Won-jin, managing director of Google Korea, the interface will distinguish its offerings from other search engine providers operating in the country.
He added that Google is not setting any domestic market share targets but it expects the "new services will help".
As part of its strategy to expand its presence in the country, Google also recently launched a Korean version of its video-sharing site YouTube.
