In response to repeated demands for map export... National Assembly, "Map export not allowed without domestic data center"

[Financial News] Following Google, Apple has also demanded the export of high-precision maps abroad, prompting the National Assembly to propose a strong measure of 'mandatory installation of domestic data centers.' The proposed bill states that foreign companies wishing to take high-precision maps from Korea must install physical servers domestically and implement security measures.
According to the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee on the 21st, the Democratic Party proposed an amendment to the Spatial Information Management Act on the 16th. The core is that only low-precision maps with a scale of 1:25,000 or less are allowed to be exported, and even then, domestic data center installation and security measures must be met. Specific security measures are expected to include blurring, camouflage, and low-resolution processing. If this bill passes, high-precision maps with a scale of 1:5,000 will still be prohibited from export. This is due to concerns that sensitive information related to national security could be exposed.
Defense Committee member Ahn Gyu-baek said, "Recently, the U.S. government pointed out Korea's map export restrictions as a non-tariff barrier," adding, "We have prepared legal measures in case of future external pressure."
Apple has already installed domestic servers and is negotiating map data with the government, while Google has not yet accepted the demand to establish a domestic data center. As a result, the proposed amendment is likely to be a significant burden on Google. Currently, Google has requested the export of high-precision maps from the National Geographic Information Institute, and the government is expected to complete the review by August 11. Apple is also reported to have made a similar request around the same time.
There are both pros and cons regarding the export of high-precision maps. The logic is that exporting high-precision maps will enhance the convenience of foreign tourists and increase economic effects. The East-West Institute of Yonsei University (Professors Kim Deuk-gap and Park Jang-ho) recently predicted in a research paper published in the Journal of Tourism and Leisure Studies that "if the use of Google Maps is allowed, up to 6.8 million additional foreign tourists could be attracted by 2027, increasing tourism revenue by $22.6 billion (about 31 trillion won)." The opposing argument from the political sphere is the 'security' issue. Concerns have been raised that information on major security facilities, such as military bases, could be exposed and misused by hostile countries like North Korea. Google has stated that it will blur major facilities, but has expressed reluctance to store maps in domestic data centers.
ksh@fnnews.com Kim Seong-hwan reporter