Apple joins Google in push to export Korea's high-precision map data
Experts caution that granting US access may open door to similar demands from China under its data-sharing laws
The debate over the overseas transfer of South Korea's high-precision map data, a sensitive issue that had been largely dormant since the launch of President Lee Jae Myung's administration, has reignited. The government is moving to develop countermeasures as global tech giants intensify their efforts to gain access to the data.
Apple recently sought legal advice from a Korean law firm regarding its application to export 1:5,000 scale map data. The move follows the company's earlier attempt in 2023, which was aimed at enhancing services such as its Find My device tracking feature, Apple Pay's local operations and the in-car navigation system integrated into Apple CarPlay, according to industry sources on Thursday.
Apple's previous request was rejected by the Korean government due to national security concerns. Industry watchers believe the US tech giant will quickly reapply should the government approve Google's pending application to export similar map data.
The review of Google's request is ongoing. The government, which deferred its decision last month, must deliver a verdict by Aug. 11. As the Lee administration seeks to ease trade tensions with Washington, attention is focused on how it will respond to Google's bid.
For now, progress on the matter has stalled. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is required to convene a consultative body involving related ministries -- including those handling trade, security, ICT, industry and foreign affairs -- to deliberate on the issue.
Potential candidates for the post of land minister, including Democratic Party lawmakers Maeng Sung-kyu and Moon Jin-seok, both known for their cautious stance on data exports, further signal the possibility of another rejection.
The map data dispute remains a key irritant in Korea-US trade relations. The US Trade Representative has consistently cited Korea's restrictions on map data exports as a trade barrier and recently urged Seoul to address this and other non-tariff issues. Meanwhile, the Computer & Communications Industry Association, representing the American ICT sector, has joined the pressure campaign, demanding the export restrictions be lifted.
In response, the National Geographic Information Institute, under the Land Ministry, issued a tender earlier this month for an urgent study on export policy for spatial information assets. The study is expected to propose phased export strategies beyond 2027 and address issues such as digital service taxes and the extraterritorial application of domestic laws.
'It is about objectively assessing the national interest. If we find blind spots or weaknesses, we plan to establish countermeasures,' a Land Ministry official said.
Scholars and experts continue to urge caution, citing the potential national security risks of exporting high-precision maps capable of revealing sensitive facilities.
While local firms such as Naver and Kakao provide maps with blurred, camouflaged or low-resolution images of secure sites, Google has so far agreed only to apply blurring. Apple, in contrast, reportedly indicated its willingness to comply with all government conditions, including camouflage and resolution adjustments, while also operating its servers within Korea.
Experts warn that approving the US firms' requests could open the floodgates for applications from companies in China and elsewhere, making it difficult for Korea to deny future requests. There are particular concerns about China's data security law, which could require any exported map data to be shared with the Chinese government.
Given the stakes, experts argue that unless security risks can be fully mitigated, the government should deny the export requests. Some suggest a different path: commercializing domestic map data to generate revenue.
'Demands for access to our high-precision map data will only intensify,' said Choi Jin-mu, a geography professor at Kyung Hee University. 'If we can no longer protect it, we should monetize it and reshape the ecosystem.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Korea Herald
Spy chief nominee grilled over his perceptions of North Korea
Lee Jong-seok, the nominee to be the director of the National Intelligence Service, faced scrutiny over his past acquaintance with a former deputy governor convicted over illegal cash transfers to North Korea at his confirmation hearing Thursday. At the hearing, Lee was asked about his past ties to former Gyeonggi Province Deputy Gov. Lee Hwa-young, who served when President Lee Jae Myung was governor of the province, and was sentenced to 9 1/2 years in prison for a 2019-20 scheme to transfer funds to the North. The scheme took place during the president's tenure as governor, a role in which he has denied any wrongdoing. Prosecutors allege that the president, when he was governor, used undergarment maker Ssangbangwool to send $8 million to North Korea. The NIS director nominee and the former deputy governor had worked together at the inter-Korean peace committee at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office from 2018. The nominee said he knew the former deputy governor strictly in a professional capacity and that he had no knowledge of the scheme at all. When asked about his past public remarks opposing the introduction of THAAD, the US anti-ballistic missile defense system, and GSOMIA, the intelligence-sharing framework with Japan, the nominee said he believes that those were "things that are already agreed upon and should be complied with." Lee said that the foundation of South Korea's security is its alliance with the US. "That is the stance of the Lee Jae Myung administration, and I believe the same," he said. In a written response submitted to the National Assembly on Thursday, a day ahead of his hearing, Lee denied the accusations that he was lenient toward North Korea. "I absolutely cannot agree with the claims that I am pro-North Korea only because I have studied North Korea and the Korean Peninsula in depth," he said. Lee served as minister of inter-Korean affairs under the late former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun in 2006.
Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Korea Herald
Korea unveils W30.5tr stimulus to revive growth, ease household strain
W10.3tr revenue cut marks first revision in five years as fiscal deficit widens Just two weeks into office, President Lee Jae Myung's administration has unveiled a proposal for a 30.5 trillion won ($22.2 billion) supplementary budget aimed at jump-starting the sluggish economy. The package includes a 10.3 trillion won revenue revision — the first in five years. 'The Korean economy now stands at an inflection point,' Second Vice Finance Minister Lim Ki-keun said Wednesday during a briefing in Sejong. 'To set growth on an upward trajectory, timely and bold fiscal intervention is more critical than ever. More spending cannot by itself solve everything, but this will be a vital first step.' The measure marks the second spending package this year, following a 13.8 trillion won plan approved in May under the previous administration, which won rare bipartisan support during a politically volatile, post-impeachment transition. With Cabinet approval secured on Thursday, the government said it plans to submit the latest proposal to the National Assembly by Monday. Lim said the latest plan was guided by two priorities: providing tangible support for the real economy and people's livelihoods and ensuring its swift implementation within the year. Of the 20.2 trillion won in new spending, 15.2 trillion won will go toward boosting economic activity, while 5 trillion won is earmarked for stabilizing livelihoods. A key pillar of the stimulus is a 10.3 trillion won cash relief program distributed via so-called 'spending coupons,' with payments ranging from 150,000 won to 500,000 won based on income levels. All Koreans will receive at least 150,000 won in the first phase, with larger amounts for lower-income households. In the second phase, the top 10 percent of earners will be excluded, while the remaining 90 percent will receive an additional 100,000 won. The government also allocated 2.7 trillion won to the construction sector, which has posted four consecutive quarters of contraction and remains a significant drag on domestic demand. To foster long-term growth, 1.2 trillion won will be invested in startups and emerging industries, including artificial intelligence and renewable energy. The 5 trillion won earmarked for livelihood support mainly targets struggling small business owners and the self-employed, as recent data show record-high default rates and involuntary closures. Of that, 1.4 trillion won will go toward easing the debt burden of chronically distressed borrowers, while 1.6 trillion won will be used to strengthen the employment safety net, through job-seeking benefits and aid for delayed wage payments. The government is revising down its revenue projection by 10.3 trillion won, marking the first revenue correction since July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of end-April, the integrated fiscal balance, indicating the government's underlying fiscal health, posted a deficit of 46.1 trillion won — the third-largest April shortfall on record after 2024 and 2020. That figure is set to grow, factoring in more than 30 trillion won in combined extra budget spending this year. Fiscal conditions are set to worsen with expanded outlays. Full-year revenue is now projected at 642.4 trillion won, down from an initial estimate of 651.6 trillion won, while spending has been revised up to 702 trillion won from 673.3 trillion won. As a result, the year-end integrated fiscal deficit is forecast to reach 110.4 trillion won, widening from 91.6 trillion won last year. As a share of gross domestic product, the deficit rate is projected to rise to 4.2 percent, up from an earlier forecast of 3.3 percent. The national debt, which stood at roughly 1,200 trillion won as of end-April, is expected to exceed 1,300 trillion won by year's end, pushing the debt-to-GDP ratio to 49 percent. To finance the shortfall, the government plans to issue 19.8 trillion won in treasury bonds, with the remainder covered through about 10 trillion won in spending restructuring and available fund reserves. The ministry downplayed concerns about bond market pressure, saying the extra budget had already been priced in and yields remain stable. 'Demand in the treasury bond market remains solid,' Lim said. Despite concerns over fiscal health, the finance ministry said Korea's debt remains manageable by global standards. Lim underscored the administration's emphasis on 'sustainability,' calling for strategic spending paired with a long-term path to fiscal stability. 'Given current economic and fiscal conditions, rigidly adhering to the 3 percent deficit cap could harm both the economy and public finances,' Lim said, adding, 'While we remain committed to fiscal sustainability, strictly meeting the rule is unrealistic at this stage." The government expects the extra budget to boost economic growth by 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points, lifting it into the 1 percent range. The Bank of Korea projects 0.8 percent growth this year, while the International Monetary Fund forecasts a 1 percent expansion.
Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Korea Herald
Now is time for K-sports to lead global stage: KSOC chief Ryu Seung-min
Ex-Olympic table tennis champion hopes to build a stronger sports culture to advance all levels of sports, from professionals to community sports While Korean music and businesses are making big waves internationally, now is the time for Korean sports to lead on the global stage and demonstrate how sports can be more than just a game, said the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee president during a session at the 7th Global Business Forum held in Seoul, Wednesday. The GBF, organized by The Korea Herald and Herald Business, is a 15-week program held every Wednesday that brings together business leaders, diplomats and industry experts to discuss emerging global trends and challenges shaping the future economy. During his lecture, Ryu Seung-min, the head of the KSOC, highlighted that the Korean sports world is at a key moment of influence thanks to the country's strong performance at the 33rd Summer Olympics in Paris last year. "(Last year's Olympics) was a defining moment that showed K-sports as a true global powerhouse. And as a former Olympic champion, I felt a sense of responsibility and wanted to help continue this success," said Ryu, 42, who won the men's table tennis at the 2004 Olympic Games. In Paris, the 16-year-old Ban Hyo-jin made headlines by winning the women's 10-meter air rifle gold medal. The fencing team achieved the valuable feat of winning two gold medals and one silver medal. South Korea exceeded its initial goal with 13 gold medals, tying its record for the most at a Summer Games, and finished eighth in the medal table. To make the leap, Ryu noted that Korea should take cues from the International Olympic Committee, which assists all National Olympic Committees with athlete development programs, as well as refugee athletes. "Korea should also follow the IOC model and build an independent, respected and athlete-centered sports organization that puts athletes and coaches first and creates a healthy environment to practice and play sports," Ryu explained. In his post-athletic career, Ryu served as a member of the IOC from 2016 to 2024 and president of the Korea Table Tennis Association from 2019 to 2024. Ryu also expressed hopes of building a stronger sports culture, calling for more interest and support to advance Korean sports at all levels: from professionals and community sports to the businesses and culture surrounding sports as well. As the evening progressed, Kim Young-sang, president of The Korea Herald, held a special interview session with marathoner Lee Bong-ju, who won the silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Lee, who ran long-distance before the sport reached today's popularity levels, said he was glad to see more people taking part in marathons. "Compared to 15 or 16 years ago, there are so many marathon competitions today. The enthusiasm is so high that it's difficult to even register for some of these races because they fill up quickly, and I am happy about the change," Lee said. "A Marathon is about having a goal and running toward achieving that goal. But do not overdo it. I hope that marathons can be something people simply enjoy, help people improve their health, strengthen their mental health and infuse positive energy into their daily lives," Lee noted.
