Google has once again asked the South Korean government for approval to export high-precision mapping data after a nine-year hiatus, reigniting debate over its potential impact on the country’s digital map market. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in its National Trade Estimate (NTE) report released last month, singled out South Korea as the only major market still restricting the export of location-based data, labeling the policy a digital trade barrier. With the application now under review, attention is focused on how the South Korean government will respond.
While Google claims the data is needed to improve its map services, local industry voices have expressed strong opposition, warning that the move could destabilize the domestic digital map ecosystem, which is dominated by Korean firms.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on April 15, Google filed its third request in February with the National Geographic Information Institute (NGII), seeking permission to transfer 1:5,000 scale maps to overseas data centers. Google had previously submitted similar requests in 2007 and 2016. The 1:5,000 maps offer detailed visualizations down to alleyways, compared to the 1:25,000 scale maps currently used by Google Maps in Korea.
Despite being the global leader, Google Maps has struggled in South Korea due to limited functionality. Google argues that high-precision maps are essential, particularly for foreign tourists who frequently report map-related issues. It also claims that South Korea is the only OECD country that bans the overseas transfer of such data.
The South Korean government previously rejected Google’s requests over national security concerns. Authorities warned that integrating high-resolution mapping data with Google’s satellite imagery could expose military and sensitive sites to precision strikes. In 2016, the government proposed allowing data transfer only if Google established a local data center and blurred or masked key sites, but Google refused, saying the conditions were non-negotiable.
Google currently operates 29 data centers in 11 countries, including Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore, with new facilities underway in Thailand and Malaysia, but none in South Korea.
In its latest request, Google said it would comply with requirements to blur sensitive sites but still has no plans to build a Korean data center. Instead, it proposed appointing a data security officer and establishing a hotline for emergencies.
Industry insiders here warn that Google could dominate South Korea’s digital map sector through its financial and technological clout, particularly in automotive and pedestrian navigation.
A study by visiting professors Kim Deuk-gap and Park Jang-ho at the Institute of East and West Studies at Yonsei University notes that domestic apps hold around 85% of the market. According to market researcher Mobile Index, Naver Map leads with 27.04 million monthly active users (MAU), followed by T Map (14.64 million), Kakao Map (11.71 million), and Google Maps (9.11 million).
Korean firms counter Google’s claim by noting that other global providers, including Apple, already offer navigation services using 1:25,000 scale maps. They argue that if Google’s aim is to address tourist inconvenience, existing map data is sufficient. Industry insiders suspect the real intent lies in securing data critical to emerging sectors such as autonomous driving, urban air mobility (UAM), digital twins, and artificial intelligence.
“This data is central to future mobility,” said one platform industry official. “Google’s request likely reflects its intention to dominate in these sectors.”
