Seoul: The government has decided to permit Google to transfer South Korea's high-precision map data to its overseas facilities, with the contingency of implementing supplementary measures to address security concerns.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which oversees national mapping policy, reached the decision following consultations with officials from foreign, defense, and other related ministries. The approval is contingent on Google adhering to security guidelines, including masking sensitive facilities, restricting the exposure of precise coordinates, and utilizing local servers for data processing.
The government emphasized that raw data must be processed at a Korean partner's data center within the country, with only navigation service-related map data allowed for overseas transfer. Sensitive data, such as contour lines, are excluded from this transfer. Additionally, Google is required to appoint a local official to interface with the government and respond swiftly to potential security incidents.
Google responded positively to the government's decision, committing to develop concrete service implementation plans. Cris Turner, vice president for government affairs and public policy at Google, expressed the company's eagerness to collaborate with local officials to deploy a fully operational Google Maps in Korea.
This decision follows two previous rejections by the Seoul government in 2007 and 2016 over security concerns. The United States had previously identified restrictions on high-precision map data as a non-tariff trade barrier. Google's latest request, filed in February 2025, sought approval to transfer 1:5,000-scale high-precision map data to its overseas data centers, demonstrating its readiness to comply with South Korea's security requirements.
Currently, Google offers South Korean maps using publicly available 1:25,000-scale map data combined with aerial and satellite imagery. The company asserts that government-supplied map data is crucial for delivering comprehensive mapping services, including vehicle navigation and driving directions, in South Korea, recognized as one of the world's most technologically advanced nations. Under South Korean regulations, companies must store detailed map data on domestic servers, with local tech firms like Naver Corp. and Kakao Corp. providing more detailed navigation services than foreign providers.