Key Points
- South Korea has delayed Google’s request to export map data for another 60 days.
- The government cites national security concerns, fearing military sites could be exposed.
- The U.S. is pressuring South Korea, calling the restriction an unfair trade barrier.
- The lack of data means Google Maps has very limited functionality in South Korea.
South Korea on Friday put Google’s request to export map data on hold for another 60 days, citing national security concerns. The decision comes despite pressure from the United States, which sees the restriction as an unfair trade barrier hurting U.S. companies.
This is the third time South Korea has blocked or delayed Google’s request, following rejections in 2007 and 2016. The government argues that allowing map data to leave the country could expose the locations of military bases and other sensitive sites. Since the Korean War ended without a formal peace treaty, these security concerns remain a top priority.
Google and the U.S. government see things differently. Google argues the data is already publicly available and that the restrictions severely limit its Google Maps service, creating a major headache for foreign tourists.
Washington backs this up, framing the issue as a trade barrier that hurts American companies like Google and Apple in the South Korean market. The U.S. has been pushing this point hard during recent trade talks.
The 60-day delay is meant to give Google time to come up with new proposals to address South Korea’s security worries. Google has said it’s open to solutions, like using blurred images from local partners.
With a leaders’ summit between the two countries on the horizon, it remains to be seen if this long-running dispute will finally be resolved or continue to be a sticking point in the U.S.-South Korea relationship.
