The government decided to conditionally allow the overseas export of the "high-precision map" requested by Google. It is the first time a 1-to-5,000 scale map has been provided to overseas corporations.
Given security concerns, the government attached strict provisos to Google's use of high-precision maps. When Google uses the high-precision map, it must apply video security processing and remove coordinate displays. Before exporting processed information overseas, it must obtain confirmation from the Korean government.
However, there are significant concerns that the government's decision could weaken the competitiveness of the domestic geospatial information industry. The government said it will recommend that Google present measures to achieve mutual growth with the domestic industry and will work to guide protection of the related industry.
A high-precision map is a 1-to-5,000 scale map, a high-precision dataset that represents 50 meters of actual distance as 1 centimeter on the map. It is used as the underlying infrastructure for advanced location-based services such as directions, public transit guidance, store and review integration, and mobility route optimization.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 27th that it held a meeting of the "survey results overseas export consultative body" and decided to conditionally approve Google's application, filed in Feb. last year, to export the 1-to-5,000 map overseas.
The consultative body is a committee that deliberates and decides whether to export map information overseas. 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, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, and other related ministries and a civilian member take part.
Google requested government approval to export high-precision maps overseas in 2007 and 2016. At the time, the government's position was that high-precision maps containing security and defense information could not be exported. Google again requested overseas export of high-precision maps in Feb. last year, and the government repeatedly postponed its decision in May, Aug., and Nov.
Google submitted a supplementary application to the government on the 5th of this month agreeing to the government's requests, including video security processing, limits on coordinate displays, and the use of domestic servers and incident response.
Kim Tae-hyeong, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) Director of the Public Spatial Information System Division, said, "The consultative body focused on discussing whether the national security concerns raised by Google could be resolved technically," and added, "Through video security processing, limits on coordinate displays, and the use of domestic servers, Google, which had not been subject to domestic law, is now entering the domestic legal framework. There was agreement that, if anything, security vulnerabilities would be remedied and it would help the national interest."
◇ Only limited information for directions and navigation will be provided… government pre-approval before export
For security reasons, the consultative body imposed strict conditions on Google's overseas export of high-precision maps. When exporting high-precision maps overseas, Google must apply video security processing. If it provides satellite or aerial imagery of the territory of the Republic of Korea in the global services of Google Maps and Google Earth, it must use imagery that has completed security processing in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. It must also obscure military and security facilities in historical time-series imagery (Google Earth) and Street View.
Coordinate displays are also restricted. When providing the global services of Google Maps and Google Earth, Google must remove and limit the exposure of coordinate displays for the territory of the Republic of Korea.
The consultative body required the use of servers of domestic partner corporations to process data so that the original data of the high-precision map is not leaked overseas. If map information regarding military or security facilities needs to be modified, it mandated that domestic partner corporations manage the modification process on domestic servers at the government's request. Previously, establishing a Google data center had been discussed, but by requiring the use of servers of domestic partner corporations, concerns about the transfer of map information to overseas servers were reduced.
Director Kim said, "Domestic partner corporations are corporations that can handle geospatial information," adding, "Google is a company not subject to domestic law, but with this export as a turning point, it proposed requirements to process and refine information in accordance with domestic law."
The government also established procedures for review and confirmation before such processed data is exported overseas. The map information to be provided is likewise limited to the base maps and road transportation networks needed for navigation and directions services. Data that are sensitive for security, such as contour lines, were fundamentally excluded from export.
The government will also establish a "security incident prevention and response framework," a procedure for responding to security incidents with Google. In particular, in line with Google's proposal, it will create a "red button" that enables urgent response in cases of imminent harm or specific threats to national security. It will also create a channel for constant communication with the government by requiring a Korea maps officer to be stationed domestically. The government plans to revoke the overseas export approval for high-precision maps if Google fails to meet these conditions.
Director Kim said, "The red button function was proposed by Google. In emergencies such as natural disasters or conflicts, because it takes time to modify maps, you can think of it as an emergency button that shuts down the function at the server level," adding, "The government also recommended that Google implement this function, and it can be used if such situations occur."
◇ Consultative body recommends Google devise win-win measures with domestic corporations
The consultative body's permission for Google to export high-precision maps overseas is said to reflect a consensus to provide minimal map information to boost foreign tourism, following criticism that only in Korea does Google Maps not function. Some also analyze that pressure from the United States to remove barriers seen as "digital regulation" influenced the decision.
Director Kim explained, "To provide directions or navigation services, you need to have network data. Because that information was absent, people said Google Maps did not work in Korea. If Google can use the 1-to-5,000 map information, these services become possible."
However, considering concerns, particularly in the domestic platform sector, that this decision could weaken competitiveness, the consultative body decided to seek ways at the government level to expand support for the geospatial information industry. It recommended that related ministries jointly establish "measures to foster and support the geospatial information industry," including building world-class 3D high-precision geospatial information, supporting development of geospatial artificial intelligence (Geo AI) technology, supporting the geospatial information industry and training professionals, and generating public-sector demand.
Google, too, must devise win-win measures that can contribute to the development of related industries such as the domestic geospatial information industry and artificial intelligence (AI). The consultative body also recommended that Google, in a responsible manner, actively seek and implement win-win measures that can contribute to balanced growth in Korea.
Director Kim said, "As Google is now able to use national infrastructure, it must devise corresponding win-win measures, and we agree that a high standard is needed for those measures," adding, "We will continue discussions with the relevant ministries."