South Korea has a problem. In one of the world’s most technologically advanced nations, navigating the landscape using Google Maps can be not as straightforward as in the rest of the world. That’s because Google lacks access to enough data to give an accurate result.
On August 11, South Korean authorities will decide whether to finally grant Google’s request to export the country’s detailed mapping data to overseas servers. This will allow Google to give detailed directions and best routes to travel.
The debate on whether approval should be granted has continued for nearly two decades.
Local groups warn of domination from foreign companies, while those who back Google’s request argue that restrictions harm tourism and innovation. It has also opened a debate on how democracies balance digital sovereignty with economic openness.
How Maps runs in South Korea
South Korea is one of the few countries, along with China and North Korea, in which Google Maps fails to function properly. Instead, the digital landscape in South Korea is controlled by local “portal” companies Naver and Kakao. These firms provide precise public mapping data that is stored on domestic servers in accordance with the law. This is in addition to other services such as search engines, email, news, messaging, and music.
Google already licenses the same data from local providers but is only able to display information like landmarks and local business. It cannot provide directions for users.
What is Google’s argument?
Google contends that access to the data is essential for distributing and processing it across its global network of servers, enabling real-time navigation for billions of users worldwide, including those planning trips to Korea from overseas.
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The government has consistently refused permission, citing national security risks.
Google argues that domestic competitors already utilise the mapping data it is requesting. It also claims to have removed sensitive locations from the map after a security review and has offered to will blur satellite imagery of any sensitive facilities, if required.
Those opposing the clearance to Google hold a different view. As reported by The Guardian, The Korean Association of Spatial Information, Surveying and Mapping (Kasm), which represents 2,600 local companies, reports 90% opposition from 239 member companies surveyed, fearing market domination by the US tech company.
“The government must listen to industry concerns,” says Kim Seok-jong, chair of Kasm, warning of potential “industry devastation”.
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The government has proposed a solution, suggesting that Google could gain access to detailed mapping data if it establishes local data centres like its domestic rivals. However, this would not address the problem of data being processed on Google’s servers globally.
The method of storing data in local data centres also poses risks. In 2022, millions of users lost access to Kakao’s messaging, mapping, and ride-hailing services when a fire broke out at one of its data centres.
Impact on tourism
The restrictions have drawn criticism from tourists who find it difficult to navigate the country. Tourist startups and tech advocates also argue that it will be difficult to build globally competitive services without access to internationally standard mapping tools.
This isn’t the first time Google has asked for permissions for mapping data. Previous government reviews in 2007 and 2016 both resulted in rejection.
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Washington’s trade officer has listed South Korea’s mapping restriction has a “non-tariff trade barrier”, further broadening US-Korea ties.