Allow Global Service Connection While Maintaining ''Domestic Control Rights''
The Korean government conditionally approved Google''s request to export 1:5,000 scale map data overseas, subject to strict security conditions. The interagency "Survey Results Overseas Export Consultative Body" held a meeting on February 27 and conditionally approved the request, judging that security improvement requirements demanded in November last year had been reflected. Decision authority: under the "Act on the Establishment and Management of Spatial Information"; participating bodies — Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (National Geographic Information Institute), Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Unification, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, National Intelligence Service, and civilian members. Key conditions: (1) Satellite/aerial imagery in Google Maps and Google Earth for Korean territory must use only security-processed materials per relevant laws; historical imagery and Street View must mask military/security facilities; (2) Coordinate exposure restricted — conditions imposed to remove or limit coordinate exposure for Korean territory; (3) Domestic processing — original data must be processed at domestic partner company servers in Korea; only data that has passed government publication review can be exported overseas; export scope limited to basic background maps for navigation/wayfinding and road/transportation network information; contour lines and other security-sensitive information excluded; (4) Post-hoc control — modifications to military/security facilities must be quickly updated on domestic servers at government request; non-compliance enables permit suspension or revocation; "Security Incident Prevention and Response Framework" must be established before export; technical "Red Button" capability required for immediate response to emergency threats; Korean map dedicated officer (Local Responsible Officer) required to reside in Korea with constant communication channel. Assessment: this decision is interpreted as seeking balance between security and openness — 1:5,000 scale is high-precision data raising concerns about military/security facility exposure, while Korean businesses and users need seamless integration with Google''s global navigation services.
