[비즈한국] The government has lifted the restrictions on high-precision geospatial data. The consultative body for the overseas transfer of survey results has decided to approve Google's request to export 1:5,000 scale high-precision maps, provided that "strict security conditions are met." This decision is interpreted as choosing a pragmatic approach—prioritizing the adoption of global standards and economic ripple effects—despite controversies surrounding national security and information sovereignty.
"Conditional Opening" Including Local Server Processing and 'Red Button' Mechanism
On the 27th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that a meeting of the consultative body for the overseas transfer of survey results, composed of relevant ministries, decided to conditionally permit Google's request for the export of 1:5,000 high-precision maps. Conditions include: blocking military and security facilities, restricting coordinate displays, and utilizing local servers.
Google has been seeking the export of high-precision maps since 2007. The government had previously been concerned that combining high-precision maps with foreign satellite imagery could expose key security facilities, citing the unique circumstances of a divided nation. Google and Apple's requests in 2007, 2016, and 2023 were repeatedly rejected due to security concerns.
However, this time it was different. Regarding Google's request in February of last year, the government chose to mitigate security vulnerabilities through technical measures. Key conditions include: blurring military and security facilities in historical time-series imagery (Google Earth) and Street View; removing and restricting the exposure of coordinate displays for South Korean territory; and ensuring that only data processed and reviewed on the domestic servers of Google's local partners can be exported.
The government also presented mechanisms to ensure post-approval control. It explained that it demanded the implementation of a so-called "Red Button," a technical measure to respond immediately in case of security threats. In addition, it mandated that a "Korea Map Liaison Officer" be stationed in the country to maintain a constant communication channel with the government.
The consultative body evaluated that "as a result of reviewing Google's technical alternatives, existing security vulnerability factors have been mitigated, and post-approval control can be secured through a system where sensitive information is processed on domestic partner servers and only information that has passed government review and verification is exported."
How Significant is the 'Double-Edged Sword' Ripple Effect?
Behind this decision lies the pressure of U.S. trade negotiations and industrial interests. The U.S. has cited the issue of high-precision map exports as one of Korea's non-tariff barriers in trade negotiations. The government appears to have crafted a compromise to partially resolve these trade friction factors.
There is also an expectation that the advancement of Google Maps could increase convenience for foreign tourists. According to an analysis by the National Geographic Information Institute in 2021, positive effects of map exports were found in the tourism industry (inducing approximately 4.1 trillion won in production). The consultative body stated, "There are economic and technical ripple effects based on promoting foreign tourism and map services," and added, "We have recommended that Google contribute to the development of the domestic geospatial industry and related industries such as AI, and implement measures for mutual growth."
However, the reaction from the domestic industry is cold. The National Geographic Information Institute analyzed that the negative effects across platform industries—such as autonomous driving, mobility, and logistics—could reach approximately 100.8 trillion won, which is 2.4 to 2.8 times larger than the positive effects. A 1:5,000 scale map is a core national asset, and approximately 154.5 billion won has been spent on producing it over the past five years (2020–2024). This is why concerns are being raised that global big tech could monopolize profits based on public data funded by massive tax revenue.
In a report published late last year, the National Assembly Research Service pointed out the need to establish specific approval standards within the law as a solution to the conflict surrounding the export of precision maps. Kim Jin-soo, a legislative researcher at the National Assembly Research Service, emphasized that "the overseas transfer of survey results goes beyond simply providing location information; it gives foreign companies the opportunity to develop services based on national geospatial data and commercialize them in Korea," stressing the need for objective and scientific evidence in policy decision-making.
Questions about the effectiveness of actual control are also being raised. While the government maintains that it will stop or revoke the permit if conditions are not met, experts assess that it is a separate issue how possible it would be to reverse the integration of data into global platforms once it is reflected in actual services. While technical measures like the "Red Button" serve as a preventative control mechanism, it remains unclear whether they can curb the encroachment effect that opened data will have on the domestic platform ecosystem.
Following this decision, the industry immediately voiced its opposition. Six related organizations, including the Korea Spatial Information Industry Association, pointed out that "this decision could have a significant structural impact on the overall domestic geospatial industry." These organizations emphasized that high-precision map data is core infrastructure for future strategic industries such as autonomous driving, digital twins, and smart cities, making it a matter directly linked to national competitiveness.
Kim Dae-cheon, Chairman of the Korea Spatial Information Industry Association, stated, "As the government has made its final decision, it must now prepare practical protection and promotion measures so that the domestic industry does not wither," adding, "Expansion of national investment and the creation of a fair competition environment commensurate with the level of data opening must absolutely follow."