Korean gov’t postpones meeting to discuss Google’s map data request

[THE INVESTOR] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Aug. 10 that it has postponed a meeting among ministries and government agencies to discuss Google’s request to utilize geographic data of South Korea overseas.

The ministries and agencies including the National Geographic Information Institute, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning and the Ministry of National Defense were slated to gather on Aug. 12 for the meeting to review Google’s request to store the map data at its overseas data centers for its mapping service Google Maps.

“The ministry and other institutes have decided to delay the meeting since there are a number of things to review beforehand regarding the issue,” the Land Ministry said

Google requested the Korean government to allow the firm to carry the map data out of the nation in June after years of past failed attempts.

The internet giant said getting access to the map data is vital for the firm to launch its new online services such as autonomous vehicles and 3-D map services, which the firm said would benefit Korean users.

The map data is in the spotlight as map-based services such as mobile game Pokemon Go have garnered immense popularity in recent days.

Despite the schedule change for the meeting, the ministries and state organizations will make the final decision on the matter, as previously planned, on Aug. 25.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com">wone0102@heraldcorp.com)