A report said the government has set a course to conditionally allow exporting high-precision maps abroad, as Google has requested.
SBS, citing a government official, reported that the relevant ministries participating in discussions on whether to allow exporting high-precision maps are aligning on allowing Google to export 1:5,000 scale map data overseas.
A 1:5,000 scale map represents 1 centimeter on the map as 50 meters in actual distance, and overseas big tech corporations such as Google and Apple have repeatedly requested exporting it abroad since 2007.
Google is currently using SK T Map's 1:5,000 scale map data that has passed the government's security review, but it has argued that this is limited to simple map display without exporting abroad and falls short for providing detailed mapping services such as navigation.
The relevant ministries are reportedly reviewing conditions that require processing the maps—such as mosaicking the locations or images of security-sensitive military bases and various security facilities, and removing or modifying sensitive information—only on domestic servers operated by domestic corporations. The government plans to make a final decision soon on whether to allow Google to export high-precision maps abroad.
The United States has defined the issue of exporting high-precision maps as one of Korea's non-tariff barriers in the U.S.-Korea tariff negotiations and has pressured for approval.