Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Google's request for map data sparks debate in Korea
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By Lee Min-hyung
Korea urged to find middle ground with Google amid lingering trade risk: experts
Korea faces a growing dilemma over whether to accept Google’s renewed request for the transfer of high-precision local map data overseas, as the request could potentially serve as a bargaining chip in the country’s ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States.
The U.S. search giant sought approval to transfer the 1:5,000-scale high-precision map data to its overseas data centers twice, in 2007 and 2016, but was rejected both times by the Korean government over concerns about potential leaks of national security information.
The government, however, has come under stronger pressure this time amid escalating trade pressure from the Donald Trump administration. The U.S. Trade Representative is moving to bring the issue to the negotiating table with its upcoming tariff talks with Korea in Washington on Thursday (local time). Its latest report last month cited the map issue as one of the major trade barriers with Korea.
Google logos are displayed on a Google search, in this 2023 file photo. AP-Yonhap
The Korean government is refraining from taking a firm stance on the issue for now, seemingly due to concerns over trade risks with the U.S.
Korea is taking a cautious approach to trade matters involving the world’s largest economy, as its major export-driven industries — particularly carmakers and chipmakers — face ongoing threats from U.S. tariffs.
The National Geographic Information Institute (NGII) under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is the authority overseeing the map data transfer issue.
While NGII officials declined to comment, the authority is currently in discussions with other relevant ministries and organizations, as the transfer of high-precision map data is directly tied to national security.
“The land ministry is discussing details (on the issue) with other authorities under the supervision of the Office for Government Policy Coordination,” Land Minister Park Sang-woo told lawmakers on April 9.
They include the Ministry of National Defense, the National Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The government is expected to make a final decision on whether to approve the request sometime between July and August.
Korea has asked for Google to set up a data center here and use high-precision map data only for its Korean services, but the U.S. company has so far declined.
Google established data centers in major Asian markets such as Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, but it does not have any plans to do so in Korea. The company operates a total of 29 data centers in 11 countries.
Google submitted its request to the NGII in February, arguing that access to high-precision map data would enhance its ability to provide better location-based services for foreign tourists in Korea. Currently, the company operates such services using 1:25,000-scale map data.
"We hope our global users can search useful information via Google Maps and other services here (after possibly gaining access to local map data)," a Google Korea spokesperson said.
Experts said the government should find a middle ground with Google, rather than continuing to block access to the data, as the issue is directly linked to the nation’s trade.
“It is not desirable for Korea to deny the request for the same security reason, as this may cause bigger damage to the local economy due to the tariff risk,” Choi June-sun, professor emeritus of law at Sungkyunkwan University, said.
"The government should focus on finding an appropriate middle ground with the U.S. during the upcoming tariff negotiations."