Government in bind over Google map data

By Lee Min-hyung

The government’s latest decision to delay its ruling on whether to allow Google to host detailed map data on its worldwide servers reflects how sensitive and tricky the issue is, officials said Thursday.

It shows that the government has been stuck in a dilemma ― it is reluctant to provide the map data to Google due to national security concerns, but it is worried that its rejection of the company’s request could cause trade friction with the U.S.

A special committee ― consisting of seven government bodies ― failed to meet the deadline set for Wednesday, delaying its final decision for another two months. Google has requested the local geographic data from the government for its Google Maps service which would be hosted on a server operating outside the country.

The committee said it needs a more comprehensive review of the consequences.

In response, Google issued a statement that it would fully comply with the government to narrow their differences.

“Google will sincerely respond to all the government’s concerns over the map data issue,” Google Korea said in a statement. “We hope to offer better map services for our users across the world.”

The company said it will continue maintaining its previous posture over the issue. “What we want is a chance to to explain our position in more detail,” it said.

However, the decision is drawing criticism from some politicians.

Rep. Shin Yong-hyun of the People’s Party called the decision a “special favor” for Google.

“We do not understand why the government takes an ambivalent attitude toward Google,” he said at a meeting with party members, Thursday. “The government formed the special committee only for Google, and is giving privileges to the company by arbitrarily extending the screening period set by law.”

The special government committee ― led by the National Geographic Information Institute (NGII) ― attributed the decision to not having heard explanations from the search giant. The committee plans to finalize its decision by Nov. 23.

The controversy started Jun. 1 when Google submitted its proposal to the NGII for approval. The government has since held two rounds of discussions, but failed to draw a conclusion due to the possible consequences in other industrial and political areas.

NGII CEO Choi Byung-nam said late Wednesday that the government decided to talk with Google further and discuss the potential impact that its decision will bring for national security and industry.

The remark came hours after he held a discussion with representatives of six other government bodies ― including the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.