In the example of Kakao, it lists the contacts permission as optional and the app will install and open without it. But it won't let you past a nag screen without it first verifying that you have given it access to your contacts.
Really anything involving personal data should be up to the user. Especially something like your contacts.
As much as I have a problem with Apple’s monopolistic control over the App Store, one benefit is that behaviour like this doesn’t make it past review.
I’d love to see a button on the contacts permission window to give the app a list of AI generated fake contacts. (And fake GPS coordinates, and so on).
Philosophically, your phone should be your user agent. It should act on your behalf, not on behalf of some tech companies.
Xiaomi's newer phones do have this functionality, albeit in a rudimentary form (only empty list is returned so the app can still detect it given how few people have empty contacts).
Really anything involving personal data should be up to the user. Especially something like your contacts.