After years of requests, Google has finally been given conditional approval to export high-precision geographic information from South Korea, allowing the company to offer full Google Maps services in the country, including walking and real-time driving directions.
This decision reverses a long-standing policy restricting data that had rendered Google Maps and Apple Maps largely ineffective in South Korea. Previously, Google provided map services using high-resolution, 1:5,000 scale map data, but without permission to export this data to its servers, it couldn’t offer features like turn-by-turn navigation or detailed business listings.
Since 2011, South Korea had resisted Google’s appeals, citing that the accuracy of the company’s satellite maps could compromise national security by revealing sensitive military sites when combined with commercial images and online data. Considering that South Korea is technically at war with North Korea, the government has been cautious about revealing such locations, previously requiring Google to establish a data center within the country and mask sensitive sites.
The approval comes with strict conditions aimed at safeguarding military and infrastructure sites. The South Korean government will ensure compliance before any data is exported; images of South Korean areas used in Google Maps and Google Earth must adhere to national security standards; and historical images in Google Earth and Street View must obscure sensitive military zones. Google must also remove or limit coordinate data for Korean locations, and only essential data for navigation and routing can be exported.
Furthermore, the government stipulates that all data processing must occur on servers managed by Google’s local partners. Sensitive topographic and military data remain restricted, and any updates to military or security sites must be executed swiftly on domestic servers at the government’s request.
Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This development will likely impact Korea’s local maps market, where navigation apps like Naver Map, T Map, and Kakao Map have thrived in the absence of services from Google or Apple.
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In its statement, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport cited its intent to boost tourism in the country as a reason for the decision, noting that Google Maps had been relatively ineffective in Korea, forcing tourists to rely on local apps that may not provide English language support.
The ministry added that the move also aims to bolster the country’s geospatial industry by promoting the development of high-precision, 3D infrastructure and geo AI technologies. The government encourages Google to contribute to the growth of South Korea’s geospatial industry, ensuring that the data export benefits the tech giant and fosters domestic innovation and economic expansion.
Google has not confirmed whether it will establish a data center in South Korea. Currently, the company operates several data centers in Asia, including in Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia.
The government also detailed new procedures to address any potential security issues linked to exporting high-resolution maps. The ministry stated it would collaborate with Google to create a “security incident prevention and response framework” to manage risks before data export. For scenarios posing imminent national security threats, a technical “red button” mechanism will be implemented to enable rapid emergency response.
Additionally, South Korea will require the presence of a local officer to maintain consistent communication with the government and ensure effective management of any security incidents.