South Korea has again postponed its decision on Google’s request to export high-precision map data abroad, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on August 8.

Google applied in February to transfer 1:5,000-scale map data overseas and sought additional time to address national security concerns.

A review panel extended the decision deadline by another 60 days after a previous extension in May.

The US has called South Korea’s restrictions on map data exports a non-tariff barrier, but the issue was not included in the latest tariff deal between the two countries.

Google currently offers South Korean maps using lower-resolution public data and satellite imagery.

Previous requests in 2007 and 2016 were denied due to concerns about exposing military facilities.

It remains unclear if this issue will be discussed at an expected summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump later this month.

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🔗 Source: Yonhap News Agency

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Repeated rejections reveal South Korea’s strategic view of mapping data as national infrastructure

Google’s current request marks the third time the company has sought to export South Korea’s high-precision maps, having been previously denied in 2007 and 2016 due to national security concerns1.

This pattern of consistent rejection becomes more significant when considering South Korea’s massive investment in mapping infrastructure, with over 1 trillion won invested since 1966 and 80 billion won allocated annually for updates2.

The scale of this investment demonstrates that South Korea views high-precision mapping not just as geographic data but as critical national infrastructure comparable to telecommunications or energy systems.

The government’s willingness to potentially strain trade relations with the U.S. over this issue, despite American pressure framing it as a non-tariff barrier, highlights how seriously South Korea treats mapping data as a strategic asset3.

2️⃣ China precedent concerns drive South Korea’s cautious approach beyond immediate security risks

Multiple government sources have expressed worry that approving Google’s request could create pressure for similar access from Chinese companies under China’s data-sharing laws2.

This concern extends beyond the immediate Google request, as Apple has also submitted similar applications for high-precision map data access4.

The precedent worry reflects South Korea’s position between competing technological superpowers, where a decision favoring U.S. companies could trigger demands from Chinese firms backed by mandatory data-sharing requirements.

This geopolitical dimension explains why South Korea’s review panel includes representatives from multiple ministries, including defense, foreign affairs, and the National Intelligence Service—treating this as a broader strategic decision rather than a simple business request5.

Recent Google developments

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