Google Considers Purchasing Masked Korean Satellite Images to Address Security Concerns

"1:5,000 Map Is the National Base Map, Not a High-Precision Map"

Google has expressed its intention to purchase satellite images of South Korea with sensitive areas obscured, ahead of the Korean government's decision on the export of high-precision maps. This move appears to be in response to domestic concerns over security.

In an official blog post released on August 5, Google emphasized, "Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful," adding, "One of the products that embodies this philosophy, Google Maps, helps users efficiently find directions and explore their surroundings."

Reuters Yonhap News

Google pointed out that foreign tourists visiting South Korea experience inconvenience due to restrictions on the navigation function. Google stated, "In Korea, which attracts more than 10 million foreign visitors each year, overseas tourists face inconvenience as soon as they arrive," and added, "To resolve these issues, we are working closely with the Korean government to enable this function to be available in Korea as well."

Google asserted, "The map we requested to export to the Korean government is not a high-precision map at a scale of 1:1,000, but rather the national base map at a scale of 1:5,000," and explained, "This is secure data that has passed the government's security review."

They further stated, "This is the same data used by most domestic map service providers, and Google Maps, which is serviced through SK Tmap Mobility, is also based on this data." They continued, "There are claims that a 1:25,000 map, which does not require separate export approval, can be used to create a navigation system, but in reality, the information is far too insufficient to provide detailed directions, making it unfeasible."

Google explained, "The satellite images on Google Maps have separate original sources. We are working with the Korean government to find a solution," and added, "The satellite images on Google Maps are taken by various professional companies and sold through open markets." They further pointed out, "To obscure sensitive security facilities in Korea, the most reliable method is to process the original source images. Even if the images are obscured on Google Maps, the original satellite images still retain the unaltered images."

Google stated, "In discussions with the Korean government, we are seeking ways to obscure sensitive facilities in Korea in the satellite images used on Google Maps," and added, "Google will continue to work with the Korean government to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful."

A Google representative explained, "We are currently discussing with the government the option of purchasing satellite images that have already been obscured," and added, "We are considering various measures to meet the Korean government's security standards." They also stated, "If necessary, we are considering purchasing and utilizing images that have already been obscured and approved by the government from domestic partners."

The Korean government will hold a meeting of the Survey Results Export Council on August 8 to discuss Google's request to export the 1:5,000 scale map. The council was originally scheduled to make a decision in May, but the deadline was postponed once to August 11 in consideration of Korea-US trade negotiations.

Google previously requested permission to export maps in 2011 and 2016, but the government denied the requests due to concerns that storing map data containing information on military bases and other security facilities on overseas servers could lead to information leaks. Apple also had its map export application rejected once in 2023, and reapplied in June after expressing its willingness to comply with the Korean government's requirements.

This time, attention is focused on the council's decision as US President Donald Trump has identified the export of high-precision maps and platform regulations as non-tariff barriers in Korea's digital sector and is pressuring the Korean government.