Google Maps to Strengthen Services in Korea Next Year, Naver and Kakao on Alert

At a glance

Google Maps is expected to be significantly strengthened in Korea as early as next year. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport confirmed that Google met the conditions for exporting domestic map data.

Key points

1. 1

   Google applied for high-precision map export in February last year and received conditional approval this February.

2. 2

   Exports are limited to transportation network data such as road networks, road names, lane counts, and speed limits.

3. 3

   Google must use data processed on domestic servers by its partner Tmap Mobility, and Tmap user personal data is excluded.

4. 4

   Military and security facilities must be masked in satellite and street-level imagery.

Why it matters

If Google adds search and AI to its maps, competition could expand into restaurant and hotel search, reservations, and local advertising. Naver Map currently has the most monthly users in Korea.

Also reported by

• 뉴시스20년 끈 韓 정밀지도 반출 논의에 마침표…구글, 정부 요구안 모두 수용
• 동아일보정부, 구글 고정밀지도 반출 보안이행 확인…위반 시 허가 회수
• KBC광주방송[속보]구글 맵 '고정밀 지도' 숙원 깼다…국내 지도·모빌리티 지각변동 예고
• 연합뉴스정부 "구글, 고정밀지도 좌표제거·영상 보안처리 이행"(종합)