June 19, 2025
SEOUL – The debate over the overseas transfer of South Korea’s high-precision map data, a sensitive issue that had been largely dormant since the launch of President Lee Jae Myung’s administration, has reignited. The government is moving to develop countermeasures as global tech giants intensify their efforts to gain access to the data.
Apple recently sought legal advice from a Korean law firm regarding its application to export 1:5,000 scale map data. The move follows the company’s earlier attempt in 2023, which was aimed at enhancing services, such as its Find My device tracking feature, Apple Pay’s local operations and the in-car navigation system integrated into Apple CarPlay, according to industry sources on Thursday.
Apple’s previous request was rejected by the Korean government due to national security concerns. Industry watchers believe the US tech giant will quickly reapply should the government approve Google’s pending application to export similar map data.
The review of Google’s request is ongoing. The government, which deferred its decision last month, must deliver a verdict by Aug. 11. As the Lee administration seeks to ease trade tensions with Washington, attention is focused on how it will respond to Google’s bid.
Maps at a scale of 1:25,000, used for navigation and route guidance, are already provided to foreign companies for their map services. However, both Google and Apple are seeking to secure high-precision maps as a necessity for expanding their mobility, AI and autonomous driving industries.
According to regulations, high-precision maps can only be used if the company has a data center located within Korea. As a result, only Naver and Kakao, which operate domestic data centers, are currently able to use high-precision map data free of charge.
The 1:5,000 high-precision maps sought by Google and Apple are detailed enough to represent 50 meters as just 1 centimeter on the map, allowing for precise identification down to alleyways and individual buildings.
Due to the sensitive nature of this data, which could expose information about security facilities, export of such maps is only permitted following a review by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
High-precision maps contain terrain information and serve as key infrastructure for realizing next-generation industries such as autonomous driving, smart cities and digital twins. This is why major US tech companies have recently been demanding high-precision map data one after another.
Kim Sang-bae, a professor at Seoul National University’s Department of Political Science and International Relations, warned that Google’s request for map data is driven by its ambition to strengthen global business competitiveness through securing artificial intelligence data.
“If the data is used for AI training, it could have a significant impact on Korea’s AI competitiveness,” he said.
Experts continue to urge caution, citing the potential national security risks of exporting high-precision maps capable of revealing sensitive facilities.
They warn that approving the US firms’ requests could also open the floodgates for applications from companies in China and elsewhere, making it difficult for Korea to deny future requests. There are particular concerns about China’s data security law, which could require any exported map data to be shared with the Chinese government.
Given the stakes, experts argue that unless security risks can be fully mitigated, the government should deny the export requests.
“It is impossible to exclude specific companies or countries (to export high-precision maps), which could give rise to diplomatic and trade-related issues. If a large number of foreign companies are allowed entry, the Korean government may face significant challenges in regulating them afterwards,” said Lee Jung-hyun, Seoul Women’s University’s Department of Information Security.
In response, the National Geographic Information Institute, under the Land Ministry, issued a tender earlier this month for an urgent study on export policy for spatial information assets. The study is expected to propose phased export strategies beyond 2027 and address issues such as digital service taxes and the extraterritorial application of domestic laws.
“It is about objectively assessing the national interest. If we find blind spots or weaknesses, we plan to establish countermeasures,” a Land Ministry official said.