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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Follow-up discussions have effectively stalled three months after the South Korean government conditionally approved the overseas transfer of high-precision 1:5,000-scale map data to Google, raising concerns across the platform and geospatial industries.
According to industry sources on May 28, the government-led consultative body on overseas transfer of survey data has not convened since granting conditional approval on February 27. The National Geographic Information Institute has requested that Google submit detailed implementation plans for meeting the conditions and is currently awaiting a response.
Under the approval, Google must comply with strict security requirements, including masking military and sensitive facilities in satellite, aerial, and Street View imagery; restricting coordinate displays related to South Korean territory; processing raw data through domestic partner servers; and limiting the scope of exported data subject to government review.
Experts emphasize that once Google submits its response, the government should conduct a transparent and public review to verify compliance. Given past criticism over the lack of transparency in the decision-making process, open validation is seen as essential.
There are also calls to incorporate measures to protect and foster the domestic geospatial industry into the government’s upcoming “Fourth Basic Plan for Spatial Information Industry Promotion,” which will guide policy through 2030.
Industry representatives argue that while policy decisions rest with the government, technical evaluations should involve industry experts to ensure both security and competitiveness. Some have also urged increased investment in even higher-resolution mapping technologies to strengthen domestic capabilities.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
