NHN’s Line has overtaken its close peer Kakao Talk to become the world’s most used mobile messenger.

NHN, the operator of Korea’s largest search engine Naver, said Monday that the number of Line users worldwide surpassed 60 million as of Sept. 8.

Kakao Talk had 59 million as of Sept. 7.

Market watchers say the two sides will have a neck-and-neck competition as Kakao will soon have over 60 million users as it strengthens its overseas operations.

NHN has been focusing on marketing Line mostly in Japan, where it has a subsidiary, providing the free messenger app in some 230 countries.

Kakao, meanwhile, had mostly focused on the domestic market.

NHN said that it will further boost partnerships with global telecom operators and handset manufacturers to provide its messenger on any operating systems and smart mobile devices.

This is part of the company’s plan to secure 100 million users by the end of this year by entering North America and China.

Also, the company will launch platforms for its growing users like its recent Sticker Shop where people can purchase mobile sticker content.

Kakao had previously told The Korea Herald that it aims to launch a content platform toward the end of this year, and targets 100 million users.

Kim Beom-soo, the founder of Kakao, also established NHN with Lee Hae-jin, who currently heads NHN’s board.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)