Google has asked the South Korean government for approval to export high-precision map data for the first time in nine years, officials said Feb. 27. The company previously sought permission in 2011 and 2016 to improve Google Maps, but the South Korean government denied the requests, citing national security concerns due to the country’s divided status. Authorities also warned that storing such data on overseas servers would make oversight and management difficult.
Google’s renewed request appears tied to recent U.S. policy under President Donald Trump. The Trump administration has labeled foreign governments’ regulations on U.S. Big Tech companies as “non-tariff barriers” and has suggested imposing retaliatory tariffs. This has fueled speculation that South Korea may approve Google’s request this time.
Since Google’s servers are outside South Korea, it needs government approval to export high-precision map data. Among major countries, South Korea, China, and Israel are among the few that have not granted Google access to such data.
According to sources, Google’s U.S. headquarters submitted an application to South Korea’s National Geographic Information Institute (NGII), under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, on Feb. 18. The request seeks permission to transfer 1:5,000 scale maps to Google’s overseas data centers. These maps, which depict a 50-meter distance as 1 centimeter on the map, provide highly detailed geographic information.
Currently, Google offers maps in South Korea by combining publicly available 1:25,000 scale data from NGII and the Korea Expressway Corporation with aerial and satellite imagery, as well as Street View data. However, these maps lack detailed information on small alleys and other fine-grained geographic features, making Google’s navigation services less precise than those of local platforms such as Naver and Kakao.
As part of its renewed request, Google has proposed measures to address security concerns. The company stated that it would comply with South Korean government requests to blur sensitive security facilities on its maps. Google also pledged to designate an executive-level liaison for communications with the South Korean government, establish regular meetings, and set up a hotline for direct contact.
South Korean officials have long raised concerns that Google Earth exposes sensitive sites, including the presidential office, air bases, and missile facilities. The integration of high-precision map data with Google Earth could enhance the accuracy of potential threats. In previous negotiations, the South Korean government had set conditions requiring Google to obscure key security sites on Google Earth before approving data exports. However, Google had refused, arguing that satellite imagery filtering was unrelated to map data and that other companies also sold satellite images without similar restrictions. The latest request signals a shift in Google’s stance on this issue.
Google’s push for access to high-precision maps is also driven by business considerations. In its application, the company argued that Google Maps could support South Korea’s tourism industry, highlighting that while the number of international visitors is rising, Google Maps remains difficult to use in South Korea, causing inconvenience for travelers.
Despite Google’s proposed concessions, concerns remain. The company has stated that in order to blur security-sensitive sites, it would require coordinate data from the South Korean government. This has raised alarms that accepting Google’s request would mean handing over the locations of all national security facilities to a foreign company.
The government has yet to make a final decision, but there are signs that attitudes may be shifting. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has expressed support for adding the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to the committee that reviews map data export applications. The Culture Ministry has reportedly backed the request, citing potential benefits for tourism.
