Approval of high-precision map exports to Google requires strict security control

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Approval of high-precision map exports to Google requires strict security control

Published: 02 Mar. 2026, 00:00

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

A comparison between the Naver Map app, left, and Google Maps, shows that, unlike Naver, the Google app in Korea does not support driving directions. [JOONGANG ILBO]

The government on Feb. 27 conditionally approved the overseas transfer of high-precision maps at a 1:5,000 scale requested by Google, ending a 19-year standoff since the company first made the request in 2007. The approval comes with conditions: images related to national security must be masked, the original data must be processed on domestic servers by Google’s local partner and the materials can be exported only after government review and confirmation. The scope is also limited to data necessary for navigation and route guidance services.

The government had previously rejected such requests over security concerns. Maps at a 1:5,000 scale are detailed enough to reveal military installations and sensitive industrial facilities. The policy shift reflects an effort to use the issue as leverage in tariff negotiations with the United States. Facing pressure from Washington, which has cited nontariff barriers while warning of higher tariffs, Seoul appears intent on preventing broader trade and security negotiations from being disrupted.

Allowing the export of high-precision maps will enable users in Korea to access navigation services through Google Maps, which is a positive development. However, the decision is likely to reshape the domestic mapping and spatial data market, which has been led by local companies such as Naver, Kakao and TMAP Mobility. Domestic firms that have operated under regulatory protection will now enter full competition with global companies backed by greater capital and advanced technology. Companies must strengthen their competitiveness, while the government should ensure that the policy does not lead to reverse discrimination against local firms.

At the same time, authorities must thoroughly supervise whether Google complies with the agreed conditions to prevent any damage to national security. A more detailed negotiating strategy toward Washington is also needed. Pressure from U.S. big tech companies over nontariff barriers, including online platform regulations, could intensify. The government should respond firmly to excessive demands that could undermine national security or national interests.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.