South Korea classifies the high-resolution map data as a national security asset.
Google Maps remains restricted in South Korea as government officials weigh a long-debated decision on granting access to detailed mapping data, according to The Bellingham Herald.
Despite being a U.S. ally and one of Asia’s most technologically advanced nations, South Korea stands out as the only advanced democracy where Google Maps is not fully functional. The core dispute lies in national security concerns over the export of high-resolution map data, classified as a protected asset by Seoul.
Google has sought access to the country’s 1:5,000 scale map since the 2010s, arguing it is “standard, not sensitive, and essential for modern navigation.” South Korean authorities, however, prohibit its export to foreign servers, fearing exposure of military and sensitive sites.
While Google accesses limited data through T Map, navigation and key features remain unavailable, forcing users to rely on local apps like Naver Map and KakaoMap.
Cris Turner, Google’s vice president for Knowledge and Information Policy, said in August: “Google is closely consulting with the South Korean government on how to implement the requirements such as security measures requested by the government.”
A final decision by South Korea’s Land Ministry is expected later this month after being postponed in October.