The government will once again postpone its judgment on Google's request to export high-precision maps. A conclusion on the export of maps is expected to be reached after the South Korea-U.S. summit.
According to the National Geographic Information Institute and others on the 3rd, the 'Survey Results and Overseas Export Consultative Body' will hold a meeting on the 8th of this month to discuss Google's request to export high-precision national base maps.
The Consultative Body on Survey Results and Overseas Exports will deliberate and decide on the export of map information that affects national security. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Unification, National Intelligence Service, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and Ministry of Science and ICT are participating in the body.
Earlier, on February 18 of this year, Google requested permission from the National Geographic Information Institute to transfer domestic high-precision maps at a scale of 1:5000 to Google data centers located overseas. This map represents a distance of 50m as 1cm on the map, allowing detailed views of buildings, roads, and terrain. Google had also applied to export maps in 2011 and 2016, but the government denied those requests.
The consultative body postponed its decision during a meeting in May and extended the processing deadline by 60 days to August 11. This was based on the judgment that further discussions were necessary regarding the impact on national security and domestic industry.
The government is expected to further extend the processing deadline in a meeting this week. Concerns that deciding on the export of maps before the South Korea-U.S. summit could affect other agendas at the summit influenced this decision.
Restrictions on the export of high-precision maps are considered a prominent 'non-tariff barrier' by the United States. However, this issue was excluded from the discussions on the South Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations.
Kim Yong-beom, head of the policy office at the presidential office, noted in a briefing just after the announcement of the tariff negotiations settlement on the 31st of last month that 'high-precision maps and others were the earliest discussed areas, but this time, discussions were swiftly focused on trade, and that is what we defended,' adding that issues such as security will be discussed at the South Korea-U.S. summit.
The direction of high-precision map exports is expected to be determined after discussions at the South Korea-U.S. summit. As of now, the prevailing sentiment regarding exporting high-precision maps to Google is one of caution.
Kim Yoon-deok, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said during a confirmation hearing on the 29th of last month, 'Given the trade issues, it may be necessary to consider (the export of maps) proactively, but prioritizing defense and the safety of the people is paramount.'
The government maintains that for the export of maps to be permitted, Google must accept three requirements: to blur, disguise, and process security facilities at low resolution on the maps; to delete coordinates; and to establish servers in Korea to allow for immediate corrective actions in the event of exposure of security facilities. However, Google has yet to accept the government's demands.