출처 : SONOW
Google officially announced on September 9 it will accept Korean government security requirements for exporting precise map data overseas, including blurring sensitive facilities in satellite imagery and hiding latitude-longitude coordinates from users to demonstrate market entry commitment for navigation services in Korea.
Google Agrees to Security Measures at September 9 Campus Press Conference
At a Google Maps press conference held September 9 at Google Startup Campus in Seoul's Gangnam District, Chris Turner, Google's Vice President of External Affairs for Knowledge and Information Policy, stated that we will implement security measures including satellite image blurring and coordinate non-display according to Korean government requirements.
Turner added that Google is discussing tourism and economic revitalization measures in cooperation with domestic partner companies.
The announcement addresses government security concerns while maintaining Google's determination to introduce comprehensive navigation services in the Korean market.
February 2025 Export Request Remains Pending Due to National Security Concerns
Google submitted a request in February 2025 to the National Geographic Information Institute for permission to export 1:5000 scale map data to overseas data centers. However, the government has withheld approval citing national security concerns and potential impacts on the domestic spatial information industry.
The National Basic Map data requested for export has already undergone security screening with sensitive military and security information removed, and domestic mapping service companies use identical data.
Google Korea Position Statement
Google Korea Communication Head Yu Young-seok emphasized that Korea is one of the few countries where navigation functions do not operate smoothly
and stressed that the maps we requested are public data that has already completed security screening.
Domestic Data Center Installation Rejected Despite Government Pressure
While accepting security modifications, Google maintained its refusal to establish domestic data centers, stating such facilities are not directly related to map services. The company argues that even with Korean data centers, global simultaneous access processing would still require overseas server transmission.
Yu explained that Google Maps requires massive computing power as 2 billion users worldwide access and utilize it simultaneously, necessitating concurrent processing across globally distributed data centers.
Critics suggest Google's data center refusal may indicate tax avoidance intentions rather than purely technical considerations.
Expert Calls for National Spatial Information Committee Under Prime Minister
Google strengthens cooperation with domestic spatial information ecosystem partners including T-map Mobility, SPH, NICE, and ARO Information Technology, expecting map data navigation services to positively impact tourism and Korea's overall economy.
Kyung Hee University Geography Professor Hwang Chul-soo advocates establishing a 'National Spatial Information Committee' under the Prime Minister's Office or Presidential Office. Professor Hwang argues that if spatial information serves as core infrastructure for future industries like digital twins, smart cities, and autonomous driving, we need a national-level organization with legal and institutional frameworks beyond simple consultative bodies.
He criticized current responses relying solely on spatial information management laws' overseas export prohibition clauses as absolutely insufficient
for addressing complex geospatial data governance challenges in the digital economy era.