South Korea is getting closer to deciding whether Google and Apple will allow the export of high-resolution geographic map data abroad.
This is a move that could have a profound impact on national security and digital sovereignty.
The 1:5,000 scale maps that the two US technology giants want to exploit will be much more detailed than current data, helping to clearly display each lane, building and road surface.
However, in a country still in a state of technical warfare with North Korea, such accurate disclosure of terrain data makes lawmakers particularly cautious.
National security and data boundaries
Earlier this week, the National Defense Committee of the South held an audit session with Google Korea, questioning the company's continuous requests for permission to export local map data to external servers.
Many lawmakers have warned that if these detailed maps are combined with commercial satellite images, they could reveal the location of sensitive military facilities.
A policymaker affirmed that the government needs to increase supervision of the export of spatial ge spatial data to ensure national security.
According to the Geospatprise Information Administration Act, all survey and map data of the Korean government is only allowed to leave the territory if approved by the entire cabinet.
The regulation, issued in the 1970s, remains in place, reflecting Seoul's tight control of strategic geographic data.
The race between two big guys
Google has submitted a 1:5,000-scale permission request three times, most recently in February this year, but it has been delayed continuously.
Previously, in 2011 and 2016, the company's request was rejected because Google refused to open a domestic data center as well as not covering up military areas.
After being denied in August, Google is said to have agreed to fade sensitive locations on Google Maps and Google Earth, and considered buying government-approved satellite data from local suppliers such as T Map.
Not only Google, Apple is also pursuing the same goal. In June, Apple submitted a request to issue high-resolution map data after being rejected in 2023.
However, unlike Google, Apple operates domestic map servers, which helps them be assessed as more flexible in complying with government security requirements.
Apple is also said to be ready to obscure or reduce the level of detail in sensitive areas, and plans to use data from SK Telecom's T Map as a platform.
Balance between innovation and security
Observers say that if approved, allowing the issuance of high-resolution map data could help Korea promote tourism, promote local businesses and develop smart city projects.
However, some experts warn that the biggest benefits may still be leaning towards US technology corporations, rather than Korean users.
The final decision on the Korean side is expected to be made on November 11 or sooner.
Meanwhile, the tug-of-war between national security and the need for technological innovation continues to put the Korean government in front of a difficult problem of protecting territorial security without losing the opportunity to enter the global digital map era.
