South Korea decided to postpone the consideration of the Google request for permission to export cartographic data for another 60 days. This decision was made after the US pressure, which insist on eliminating restrictions considered as non -tariff barriers in trade relations between countries.
At the end of July, South Korea and the United States signed a trade agreement, but the issue with cards remains unresolved. South Korean authorities fear that the export of cartographic data can reveal the location of military facilities and other sensitive zones due to an ongoing conflict with North Korea. This is the main reason for the refusal in previous years – in 2007 and 2016, South Korea already rejected similar Google requests.
Google claims that its data does not pose a threat to security, since the information is publicly available and is being verified by the relevant state structures. Google is negotiating with the country’s authorities and considering options for cooperation with local partners who have received the approval of the government to work with cartographic images.
