South Korea Delays Decision on Google’s High-Precision Map Data Transfer

South Korea has once again postponed its decision on whether to approve Google’s request to transfer high-precision map data of the country’s geography to international servers. This delay extends the government’s review period to August 11, as discussions continue around data security and localization requirements.

In February, Google requested approval from the Korean National Geographic Information Institute to deploy a 1:5,000 scale map in South Korea and transfer this detailed data abroad. This scale offers a much more granular view than the currently used 1:25,000 scale, including narrow streets and finer geographic details.

This is Google’s third such request since 2011, with previous attempts in 2011 and 2016. The South Korean government rejected the 2016 request, citing national security concerns and requiring Google to establish a local data center as a condition for approval. Sensitive locations, including national security facilities, must also be blurred on maps.

Google has not confirmed whether it will set up a data center in South Korea, though it operates data centers in other Asian countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia. The lack of approval has impacted the performance of Google Maps and Apple Maps in South Korea, limiting detailed geographic data and language support.

Local navigation apps like Naver Maps, Kakao Maps, and TMaps dominate the South Korean market by offering detailed 1:5,000 scale maps with extensive local information. Naver Maps boasts about 27 million monthly active users, while Kakao Maps and TMaps have approximately 11 million and 24 million monthly active users respectively. These apps provide richer data and better language support for locals and tourists alike.

The ongoing regulatory scrutiny highlights the challenges global tech companies face in balancing data innovation with national security and privacy concerns. South Korea’s insistence on data localization and sensitive site protection reflects broader trends in data governance worldwide.

For businesses and developers, understanding these regulatory landscapes is crucial for deploying mapping technologies and data services internationally. The case of Google in South Korea underscores the importance of local partnerships, compliance strategies, and infrastructure investments to meet government requirements and deliver high-quality user experiences.