South Korea’s Map Data Export Decision Approaches
South Korea is reportedly nearing a decision on whether to allow Google and Apple to export high-resolution geographic map data to servers outside the country, according to sources familiar with the matter. The detailed maps, which would use a 1:5,000 scale, would show streets, buildings, and alleyways in far greater detail than currently available on these global platforms. However, analysts suggest several regulatory and security hurdles remain unresolved as the government weighs the implications of exporting sensitive geospatial information.
National Security Concerns Dominate Debate
Earlier this week, South Korea’s National Assembly Defense Committee held a parliamentary audit of Google Korea where lawmakers questioned the company’s requests for local map data, raising concerns over national security and digital sovereignty. The session comes two months after Seoul postponed its decision on Google’s request to export high-resolution map data in August, following an earlier delay in May. A policymaker has reportedly warned that Google’s satellite maps could endanger national security by exposing sensitive military sites when combined with commercial imagery and online data.
According to reports, the lawmaker is urging the government to gain authority to monitor and regulate the export of high-resolution geographic information. Given that South Korea remains technically at war with North Korea, sources indicate the government is exercising extreme caution about exposing sensitive locations through detailed mapping services.
Timeline and Regulatory Framework
The government’s final decision on Google Maps is expected around November 11, or possibly even earlier, a South Korean government official told TechCrunch. Last month, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced it would extend the review period by an additional 60 days. Under South Korea’s Geospatial Information Management Act (Article 16), government survey data—such as maps and satellite images—cannot be sent abroad without approval from the entire Cabinet. The law, passed in the 1970s, continues to underpin the country’s strict control over geospatial data administered by the National Geographic Information Institute.
Google’s Persistent Efforts and Concessions
In February, Google requested, for the third time in South Korea, permission from the Korean National Geographic Information Institute to use a 1:5,000 scale map in its app and to transfer the map data to servers outside of South Korea. Currently, Google uses a 1:25,000 scale map that includes points of interest and satellite imagery. Local navigation apps such as Naver Map, T Map, and Kakao Map are the most popular among local users, offering map data at the more detailed 1:5,000 scale.
After South Korea rejected approval in August, Google reportedly agreed to obscure the locations of the country’s security sites on Google Maps and Google Earth. The company is blurring sensitive installations to address government concerns over satellite imagery and is reportedly exploring the purchase of government-approved satellite data from local providers, including T Map, according to industry reports.
Apple’s Parallel Request and Different Approach
It’s not just Google making moves. Apple also requested in June to export high-resolution map data from South Korea at a 1:5,000 scale, following its initial request in 2023 being turned down. While Google keeps its map servers outside Korea, Apple operates local servers—a distinction the government reportedly weighs when reviewing requests, as local servers allow authorities to respond more swiftly to security concerns.
Reports suggest Apple may show more flexibility than Google in adhering to government-imposed restrictions, including blurring, masking, or lowering the resolution of sensitive sites. The company is also said to plan to use SK Telecom’s T Map as its primary base map data source, according to industry analysts.
Global Context and Technological Implications
Map data has become a sensitive national security issue in conflict zones worldwide. The Israeli army asked Google Maps to turn off real-time traffic data in Israel and Gaza in 2023, just as it did in Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion. The detailed mapping technology has significant implications for emerging technologies, as high-precision maps are increasingly crucial for autonomous vehicles and smart mobility solutions.
Google and Apple are upgrading their maps with detailed building footprints, alleyways, and precise street-level data to enhance navigation, which could also support advanced technologies like self-driving cars and drone deliveries. According to transportation experts, these detailed maps form the digital infrastructure driving next-generation autonomous systems.
Economic and Strategic Considerations
For South Korea, exporting high-resolution map data could reportedly boost tourism, promote local businesses, and drive smart city innovation, while giving the government leverage to enforce security safeguards. However, critics warn that the move may primarily benefit U.S. tech giants rather than domestic users, raising questions about data control and digital sovereignty.
As the National Geographic Information Institute continues its review process documented in official reports, the government faces balancing technological advancement with national security imperatives. The outcome will likely set important precedents for how countries manage sensitive geospatial data in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape, with both companies expressing commitment to following due process to obtain approval.
This article aggregates information from publicly available sources. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners.
