Government to Suspend Google's Map Export Permit If Conditions Are Violated

Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Hong Ji-sun said Wednesday at the National Assembly's comprehensive audit of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee that the permit for Google to export high-precision maps (maps drawn at a scale of 1:10,000 or more detailed) abroad could be suspended or revoked if the company fails to comply with the conditions.

During the audit, Rep. Jeong Dong-man of the People Power Party presented Google Maps images showing the Kori Nuclear Power Plant in Busan's Gijang County as evidence. "The building locations, containment structures, and detailed layouts are all clearly visible," he pointed out, adding, "This is a national security facility, yet Google is simply exposing it."

Rep. Jeong asked, "All sorts of foreign companies like Apple and Microsoft will ask for our maps. If this Google precedent is set, would the government still have grounds to reject those applications?" Minister Hong replied, "We would have to apply the same standard."

In response to Rep. Jeong's request for a report on the progress of Google's map export and the measures to be taken afterward, Minister Hong said, "We will continue to regularly review and verify the compliance matters as well."