South Korea’s government has approved Google’s request to export detailed mapping data of the country, ending years of restrictions that limited the functionality of Google Maps in the nation. The decision, announced on Friday, allows the export of 1:5,000-scale high-precision map data under strict security conditions.
Authorities required Google to implement safeguards, including limiting data transfers to what is necessary for navigation services and excluding contour lines and other sensitive information. The data must first be processed on domestic servers and receive government clearance before leaving the country. Google must also remove coordinates from South Korean territory and blur satellite and aerial images of military and sensitive sites in services such as Google Earth and Street View.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Google will be required to appoint a compliance officer in South Korea to oversee map exports. The government reserves the right to suspend or revoke the approval if the company fails to comply with the conditions.
In a statement, Cris Turner, Google’s vice president of government affairs and public policy, welcomed the decision and said the company looks forward to collaborating with local officials to bring fully functioning Google Maps to Korea.
The restrictions, previously justified on national security grounds, made South Korea one of the few countries where Google Maps had limited use. Locals primarily rely on services from domestic firms like Naver and Kakao. Critics have argued that the limitations may be hurting tourism as South Korea aims to attract more foreign visitors.
