South Korea is approaching a pivotal moment as it decides whether to approve Google and Apple’s long-pending requests to export high-resolution map data to servers outside the country. The decision, expected in November, could reshape digital navigation services while reigniting national security debates.
The proposed export involves 1:5,000 scale maps—highly detailed geographic data that display streets, buildings, and even narrow alleyways. Such precision far surpasses the 1:25,000 scale currently used by Google Maps in South Korea. Yet, security regulators are divided over whether the move might expose sensitive military or government facilities.
National Security vs. Digital Innovation
Earlier this week, South Korea’s National Assembly Defense Committee questioned Google Korea over its mapping data requests. Lawmakers raised concerns about the risks of foreign entities accessing sensitive location information. One policymaker cautioned that merging commercial imagery with satellite data could compromise national defense, given that South Korea remains technically at war with North Korea.
The government’s final verdict is anticipated around November 11, following an additional 60-day review extension announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. This marks Google’s third attempt since 2011 to gain approval for exporting detailed map data—previously denied due to security reasons and data center concerns.
Google’s Compliance Efforts and Apple’s Parallel Move
Google has reportedly taken steps to ease tensions, including agreeing to blur sensitive military and government installations on its platforms. The company is also exploring partnerships with local providers like T Map to obtain government-approved satellite imagery. Despite these efforts, Google has yet to establish a local data center, a condition that authorities have previously emphasized.
Apple, meanwhile, filed a similar request in June 2025, following a rejection in 2023. Unlike Google, Apple hosts its servers locally, a move that gives Seoul more control over data access and emergency response. The government postponed Apple’s approval process to December, signaling that it is evaluating both companies’ compliance levels carefully.
Reports suggest Apple may be more open to adopting local regulations, including lowering resolution or masking sensitive zones. The company’s collaboration with SK Telecom’s T Map may further strengthen its proposal by aligning with South Korean data management standards.
Balancing Global Tech Ambitions with Domestic Control
Under South Korea’s Geospatial Information Management Act (Article 16), exporting geospatial data requires full Cabinet approval. The decades-old law reflects the nation’s cautious stance toward data sovereignty amid geopolitical tensions.
Experts note that granting export permissions could foster innovation in areas like autonomous vehicles, drone deliveries, and smart city projects. However, critics argue the move primarily benefits U.S. tech giants rather than domestic mapping firms such as Naver Map, Kakao Map, and T Map, which already offer detailed 1:5,000 scale data within Korea.
As Seoul edges closer to its decision, the outcome will likely determine how South Korea navigates the fine line between protecting national security and enabling global digital progress. The verdict on Google and Apple’s high-resolution map data requests could set a lasting precedent for how nations handle the intersection of technology, privacy, and sovereignty.
