South Korea's government on February 27 conditionally approved Google's request to transfer high-precision map data overseas, amid efforts to address U.S. concerns over non-tariff barriers. The decision marks a shift from previous rejections in 2007 and 2016 due to national security issues.
South Korea's government on February 27, 2026, conditionally approved global tech giant Google's request to transfer 1:5,000-scale high-precision map data to its overseas facilities. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport made the decision following a meeting with officials from foreign affairs, defense, and other related ministries. The approval requires Google to strictly comply with security guidelines, including masking sensitive facilities, restricting precise coordinate exposure, and processing data on local servers. Raw data must be handled at a Korean partner's data center in the country, with only navigation-related map data transferable overseas. Sensitive information, such as contour lines, is excluded from transfer. Google must also appoint a local official to communicate with the government on security incidents.
This contrasts with Seoul's rejections of similar requests in 2007 and 2016, which cited national security risks like exposing military bases. Google refiled in February 2025, agreeing to South Korea's security demands by removing coordinate data for the region and blurring sensitive facility images. Currently, Google Maps in South Korea relies on publicly available 1:25,000-scale data combined with aerial and satellite imagery. Under local rules, detailed map data must be stored on domestic servers, where Korean firms like Naver Corp. and Kakao Corp. offer more advanced navigation services.
The move appears linked to U.S. pressure on non-tariff barriers. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has repeatedly highlighted South Korea's data transfer restrictions as impeding American digital firms. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers that USTR Jamieson Greer warned of raising tariffs on South Korea from 15 percent to 25 percent without progress on such issues.
"The government long delayed approval on national security grounds, but U.S. trade and tariff pressure has intensified recently," said Wi Jong-hyun, a professor at Chung-Ang University's college of virtual convergence. Domestic operators worry it could undermine fair competition without mandating foreign firms to build local data centers. The Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science estimated potential cumulative losses of 150 trillion won ($104.5 billion) to 197 trillion won over 10 years across eight sectors.
Officials considered economic benefits, such as boosting tourism, where Google Maps usage remains limited due to lacking high-precision data. "This decision could catalyze South Korea's tourism industry," said Kim Deuk-gap, a professor at Yonsei University's Institute for East and West Studies. "Enhanced services are expected to improve travel convenience for foreigners, distributing demand beyond Seoul and supporting regional economies." Google vice president Cris Turner stated, "We welcome today's decision and look forward to ongoing collaboration to bring a fully functioning Google Maps to Korea."
