Google's High-Precision Maps Expected to Launch in South Korea Early Next Year

Google has received final approval to export high-precision map data from South Korea overseas. High-precision map-based domestic services are expected to expand as early as early next year. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it convened a meeting of the council on exporting basic surveying data and confirmed that Google had fulfilled all security conditions attached to its permit to export high-precision maps at a scale of 1:5,000 (a precision level showing an actual distance of 5,000 meters as 1 meter on the map). Google applied to export domestic high-precision map data in February last year, the government granted conditional approval on February 27 this year, and Google submitted a final report on its implementation of security measures to the government on the 4th of this month.

Google has put in place a system that automatically blocks the distribution of map application updates if security-restricted coordinate information is exposed during the update process. When footage with security processing completed domestically is provided, existing data will be replaced immediately, and the scope of Street View images subject to deletion—covering the interiors of military and security facilities and adjacent roads—has been expanded. The government plans to continue monitoring compliance with the security conditions during the actual data export process, and to suspend or revoke the export permit in the event of serious violations.

Google said it has met the requirements set by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and expressed hope to fully offer Google Maps services in South Korea. The company also announced plans to pursue a long-term partnership program with domestic geospatial information companies.