Google has agreed to blur sensitive sites and remove location coordinates from its maps in South Korea, ending years of resistance over national security concerns. The tech giant confirmed that it will comply with Seoul’s requirements, including masking military installations and excluding latitude-longitude data.
At a press conference in Seoul, Google Vice President Cris Turner said the company would “invest a lot of time and resources” to ensure compliance, even exploring partnerships with Korean providers for pre-blurred satellite imagery.
This move represents Google’s most significant attempt to secure access to South Korea’s high-precision 1:5,000 scale mapping data. Currently, Google Maps operates with limited functionality, using 1:25,000 scale maps that cannot provide turn-by-turn navigation.
Users trying to navigate often encounter the message, “Can’t seem to find a way there.” By making these concessions, Google hopes to finally overcome restrictions that have constrained its services for nearly two decades.
The mapping dispute has also been linked to broader trade negotiations between Washington and Seoul. U.S. officials have long viewed South Korea’s restrictions as barriers to American companies, while Korean authorities remain cautious about national security.
According to the South Korean presidential office, mapping data was one of the topics “most extensively” discussed during recent Google South Korea trade talks. Despite this, Seoul has made no concessions regarding the export of sensitive data.
Meanwhile, domestic players dominate mapping in South Korea. Naver Map had a monthly active user count of 27.0 million in March, and Kakao Map increased in double digits. Both platforms have created multilingual and hyperlocal options for their services.
A survey of 239 local spatial information companies found that up to 90% were against the export of map data to Google, citing competition and job security reasons. Local enterprises argue that Google's entry may upset the balance in the world's most digitally advanced market.
By November, the fate of detailed map data access granted to Google will be decided. If granted, this will be a historic occasion for facilitating a relatively smooth navigation of a nearly global platform, and debates have arisen regarding sovereignty and competition issues.
Whereas utilizing Google Maps fully will be of significantly greater use to tourists and residents than the limited version currently offered by the authorities, innovation is likely to face security challenges. The ruling may set a precedent for countries dealing with global tech platforms while preserving their national interests.
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