Google Gains Conditional Approval for High-Precision Map Exports from South Korea
The South Korean government has granted conditional approval for Google to export high-precision maps, a decision met with opposition from domestic platforms and the spatial information industry. The approval, issued by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is subject to restrictions designed to protect national security and address concerns about data privacy and fair competition.
Government Conditions for Map Export
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held a meeting of the ‘Survey Results Overseas Export Consultative Group’ on February 27, 2026, to deliberate on Google’s request. The approval stipulates that Google must restrict the display of video security processing coordinates and utilize domestic servers for data processing. Previous concerns regarding the exposure of military and security facilities in Street View and Google Earth imagery have been addressed through mandates to cover these locations and limit coordinate markings Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Taxation and Data Center Concerns
A key point of contention has been Google’s tax obligations in South Korea. Google has faced scrutiny for allegedly avoiding corporate tax by not establishing a permanent establishment within the country. The government did not require Google to build a domestic data center, a condition initially proposed, but instead mandated that data processing occur on domestic servers with limited information exported. This arrangement allows Google to potentially avoid the tax implications of having a fixed place of business in Korea.
Impact on Domestic Platforms
The expansion of Google’s domestic route-finding services, previously limited, raises concerns about potential market dominance and the impact on local platforms. In 2024, Google Korea reported sales of 386.9 billion won, but analysts estimate combined sales from YouTube and the Google Play Store could exceed 10 trillion won. Despite this substantial revenue, Google’s corporate tax payment in 2024 was only 17.2 billion won, a mere 4% compared to Naver’s 390.2 billion won in corporate tax, despite Naver as well reporting 10 trillion won in sales.
Industry Concerns and Security Risks
Industry insiders express concerns that Google’s avoidance of a data center requirement sets an unfair precedent. They fear that foreign companies with significant capital could encroach upon the domestic spatial information industry, including sectors like smart cities, autonomous driving and physical AI. There are also concerns about accountability in the event of security incidents, as data processing may be handled by affiliated companies, potentially obscuring responsibility.
Expert Opinion on Legal Responsibility
Professor Ahn Jong-wook of Anyang University, president of the Korean Spatial Information Society, highlighted the potential for foreign companies to evade responsibility or impede investigations in the event of incidents, citing the Coupang personal information exposure incident as a cautionary example. He emphasized the need to clarify the legal roles and responsibilities between overseas headquarters and domestic affiliates to ensure effective management and oversight.
Recent Government Appointments
Recent government appointments include Kim Jong-Gu as vice minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Hong Ji-Seon as second vice minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport The Korea Times and Sedaily.