Google Maps to offer full navigation services in South Korea after data approval

Google will soon be able to provide full real-time navigation and location services in South Korea after receiving long-awaited approval from the country’s transport authorities. The decision marks a significant shift in policy that has, for years, restricted the export of detailed map data on national security grounds.

According to reports first published by The New York Times, the US technology company has been granted permission by South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to export high-resolution geographic data. This change will enable Google to offer driving and walking directions, along with detailed information about restaurants, shops and other local businesses through Google Maps.

The approval represents a breakthrough for the company, which has sought access to the country’s mapping data since entering the market. Without the ability to export detailed map information, Google Maps in South Korea has been limited in functionality compared with versions available in other countries.

Government approval is subject to strict security safeguards

In a statement to The New York Times, Google’s senior executive Cris Turner said: “We welcome today’s decision and look forward to our ongoing collaboration with local officials to bring a fully functioning Google Maps to Korea.” The company indicated that it intends to work closely with authorities to meet all regulatory requirements.

However, the approval comes with strict conditions. A spokesperson for the transport ministry stated that permission had been granted “on the condition that strict security requirements are met”. These requirements reportedly include restrictions on the display of sensitive military facilities and on the precise longitude and latitude coordinates.

South Korea has historically restricted the overseas transfer of detailed 1:5000-scale map data due to national security concerns. The country remains technically at war with North Korea, as the Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty. As a result, geographic data has long been treated as strategically sensitive information.

The restrictions have prevented Google from delivering the full suite of services that users in other markets take for granted. While basic map viewing has been available, turn-by-turn navigation and comprehensive business listings have been absent. The company previously applied for similar approval in 2007 and again in 2016, but both requests were unsuccessful.

Trade tensions and competitive concerns

The limitations on data exports have also had wider implications beyond consumer convenience. The issue has reportedly featured in trade discussions between South Korea and the United States, with American officials raising concerns about market access for US technology firms.

Google has argued that the regulatory framework placed it at a competitive disadvantage compared with domestic providers. Local platforms such as Naver and Kakao have leveraged detailed national mapping data to build comprehensive navigation and local search services. This has allowed them to dominate the country’s digital mapping market while global competitors faced technical constraints.

Critics within South Korea, however, have voiced concern about the potential impact of Google’s expanded access. Some fear that increased competition from a global technology giant could weaken established domestic companies.

Choi Jin-mu, a geography professor, told Reuters: “If Naver and Kakao are weakened or pushed out and Google later raises prices, that becomes a monopoly. Then, even companies that rely on map services — logistics firms, for example — become dependent [on Google].” His comments reflect broader anxieties about market concentration and the influence of large international technology companies.

Supporters of the decision argue that greater competition could benefit consumers by improving services and driving innovation. Access to Google’s global mapping infrastructure may also support international visitors and businesses operating across borders, who are accustomed to using Google Maps in other countries.

The transport ministry’s conditional approval appears to strike a balance between these competing concerns. By imposing limits on sensitive data and continuing oversight, authorities aim to safeguard national security while allowing technological development.

For Google, the decision represents a long-awaited opportunity to expand its presence in one of Asia’s most digitally connected markets. For South Korean consumers and businesses, it could bring significant changes to how navigation and local search services are delivered in the years ahead.