Seoul: South Korea has confirmed that Google has implemented the security measures required to transfer approved high precision map data overseas, bringing the technology company closer to expanding its mapping services in the country.
The South Korean government said Google had removed latitude and longitude coordinates for South Korean territory from Google Maps and Google Earth as part of the security conditions attached to its approval earlier this year.
The measures are intended to prevent sensitive geographical information, particularly details relating to military installations and security facilities, from being exposed through global mapping services.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport confirmed that an inter agency committee had reviewed Google's compliance with the conditions. Google submitted its final compliance report on November 4, detailing the security measures it had introduced.
Following the review, the government confirmed that Google had fulfilled the security requirements. However, the approval remains subject to strict restrictions and continued government supervision. The confirmation does not mean that all approved map data has already been transferred overseas.
Another important condition concerns Google Street View, which provides images showing street level views of roads, buildings and surrounding areas. Google has removed images showing the interiors of military and security facilities, as well as images of roads within 50 metres of their boundaries.
The company has also applied temporary security measures to existing imagery obtained from overseas commercial satellite sources. These measures include obscuring military and security facilities in Google Earth, including historical imagery.
Further replacement and deletion work will take place when officially processed domestic imagery becomes available. The government requires Google to use the security processed imagery supplied through the approved domestic arrangement.
Google has entered into an agreement with South Korean navigation company TMAP Mobility to strengthen the security arrangements. The agreement was signed on August 31, 2026.
Under the arrangement, geographical information will be processed using servers located inside South Korea before approved data is transferred overseas. The National Geographic Information Institute will provide security processed imagery through the domestic partner.
Google is required to use the supplied imagery without modifying it. The arrangement is intended to ensure that sensitive information is protected before it becomes available through the company's international mapping services.
The permission covers specified categories of geographical information needed for navigation services. These include basic map information, road networks, road names, the number of lanes, speed limits and road layouts.
The partnership also excludes personal information, real time location data, search records and driving routes belonging to TMAP users. This means the agreement does not provide Google with unrestricted access to information about the movements and activities of domestic navigation users.
South Korean authorities have also established procedures for responding to possible security violations. Google's South Korean operations head has been designated as the domestic official responsible for mapping matters.
The government has established a 24 hour response system to deal with reported security concerns. If authorities identify the exposure of a sensitive facility, the designated official must immediately notify Google's headquarters response team. Corrective action must be completed within one business day.
The government can also discuss changes to protected areas or the disabling of certain mapping functions during major natural disasters or military conflicts. It retains the power to suspend or revoke the approval if serious security violations occur.
Google welcomed the government's recognition of the potential value of its mapping services for residents, visitors and local authorities. A company representative said Google hoped to launch Google Maps in South Korea after meeting the ministry's requirements.
The processed mapping data could become available for use as early as the beginning of 2027, although an official launch date for the expanded service has not been announced. The timing and availability of individual navigation features also remain uncertain.
The decision follows a dispute that has lasted almost two decades over Google's efforts to obtain permission to transfer detailed South Korean geographical information overseas.
South Korea rejected Google's earlier applications in 2007 and 2016, citing national security concerns. Authorities argued that unrestricted access to detailed geographical information could expose sensitive military installations and other protected facilities.
The issue is particularly important because South Korea remains technically at war with North Korea. The Korean War ended with an armistice in 1953, but the two countries have not signed a peace treaty.
Google submitted another application in February 2025, seeking permission to export high precision geographical information at a scale of 1:5,000. This level of detail allows users to identify geographical features and infrastructure with considerable accuracy.
The company later agreed to South Korea's security requirements, including removing geographical coordinates and strengthening cooperation with domestic technology companies.
On February 27, 2026, South Korea conditionally approved Google's request to transfer the permitted mapping information overseas. The decision followed years of discussions between the company and government authorities.
The dispute has also involved wider questions about competition in South Korea's technology market. Domestic companies such as Naver and Kakao have established mapping and navigation services that are widely used in the country.
Google Maps has faced limitations in providing certain navigation features in South Korea, creating difficulties for some international visitors who depend on the service when travelling.
The approval could increase competition in the domestic mapping market and give Google an opportunity to expand its services. It also reflects South Korea's attempt to balance international technology access with national security requirements.
The latest announcement marks an important step in Google's efforts to expand its presence in South Korea. However, the company will continue to operate under the security conditions imposed by the government, which has made clear that access to the country's geographical information will remain subject to strict oversight.