The government conditionally approved the overseas export of high-precision maps requested by Google. A high-precision map refers to a 1-to-5,000 scale map that reduces an actual distance of 50 meters to 1 centimeter on the map.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 27th that at a consultative body on the overseas export of surveying results, it decided to approve the export of the "1-to-5,000" scale map requested by Google, on the condition of strict compliance with security requirements.
The consultative body is an organization that deliberates and decides whether to allow the overseas export of map information. Relevant ministries participate, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), the Ministry of National Defense, the National Intelligence Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.
Google asked our government in 2007 and 2016 to export high-precision maps overseas. At the time, the government took the position that high-precision maps containing security and defense information could not be exported overseas.
Google made a third request to export high-precision maps overseas in February last year, and the government kept delaying its decision on whether to allow the export in May, August, and November. Instead, in November last year, the government asked Google to supplement technical details such as video security processing, limits on coordinate display, servers, and post-management.
An official at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said, "As a result of reviewing and deliberating on the supplementary application submitted by Google on the 5th of this month, we decided to approve it on the condition that it complies with video security processing, limits on coordinate display, and the use of domestic servers."
The conditions set by the government for exporting high-precision maps overseas are: ▲ video security processing ▲ limits on coordinate display ▲ use of domestic servers ▲ response to security incidents ▲ management of compliance with conditions.
Google must perform video security processing when exporting high-precision maps overseas. When providing satellite and aerial photos of Korean territory in the global services of Google Maps and Google Earth, it must use images with security processing completed. In past time-series images and Street View as well, military and security facilities must be obscured.
Coordinate display is also restricted. In the global services of Google Maps and Google Earth, coordinate display for the territory of the Republic of Korea is removed and its exposure is limited.
Using domestic servers is also a condition for exporting high-precision maps overseas. Original data must be processed on servers located in Korea and owned by Google's domestic partner companies, and only data that has undergone government review and confirmation, such as publication screening, can be exported. However, only the data necessary for navigation and directions services is provided, on a limited basis.
Before exporting high-precision maps overseas, Google must consult with our government and establish a "security incident prevention and response framework" for responding to, managing, and handling security incidents. In cases of imminent harm or specific threats related to national security, it must also implement a technical emergency response measure (red button).
In particular, Google must station a Korea map liaison officer in the country to establish a constant communication channel with the Korean government.
After confirming that Google meets the conditions presented, the government will allow the actual export of data, and plans to suspend or revoke approval in cases of continuous and serious noncompliance.